Filipović requested extraordinary audit and explanation from INA Management due to theft

The Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development and former member of the Supervisory Board of INA Davor Filipović requested on Monday at a meeting with the INA Management a detailed explanation of the theft from INA amounting to around one billion kuna and an extraordinary audit of the entire gas business for 2020, 2021, and part of 2022.

At the meeting, the CEO of INA Sándor Fasimon was present along with the Croatian members of INA.

– They told me they have initiated an internal investigation; they want to determine how this happened – said the minister for RTL television.

Filipović stated that from discussions with the Management members, he could conclude that there are certain weaknesses regarding internal controls, as it happened that the fourth level of decision-making signed a contract that has huge financial repercussions for INA, and that no level above it verified it.

The internal control system needed to be better

– From these preliminary discussions, we see that the internal control system needed to be better – emphasized Filipović.

When asked when he would request the resignation of the Management, Filipović said that he requested an extraordinary audit of the entire gas business for 2020, 2021, and part of 2022, with special regard to what the internal and commercial audits did and what the Management and Supervisory Board did.

– It is important to determine if there are any more such contracts. I expect the external audit to establish this, and we will be able to make decisions – he added.

Filipović also commented on whether he believes that the Management members were unaware of what was happening.

– If responsibility is established, we will seek changes. The procedure needs to be allowed to determine what happened. Attention should also be drawn to the INA Management as a whole, as we have three Hungarian and three Croatian members, with the CEO Fasimon being a representative of MOL – he said.

When asked how it was possible for gas to be sold at a privileged price to a newly established company, which is not sold to partner companies, Filipović said he raised that question and that it is being investigated.

– I got the impression that they were surprised by everything that happened – he said, adding that he also asked how many similar contracts exist.

Filipović: I do not remember the last time I spoke with Škugor  

Filipović said he requested the Croatian members of the Supervisory Board (SB) to convene an extraordinary meeting of the SB scheduled for Wednesday. He also added that he sent two letters, one requesting an extraordinary audit to the INA Management and to the members of the Supervisory Board.

– If there are more such contracts, there is a serious problem with corporate governance in INA – said the minister.

When asked if INA sold gas back to the company DXT, to which the company OMS sold gas, Filipović replied that ‘this is not true’.

– I cannot assert definitively, but the information I have is that there was no such situation – he added.

He also commented on whether he feels uncomfortable that a member of HDZ is mentioned in this affair.

– It is irrelevant who is a member of which party; such things must not happen, and I fully support all institutions to investigate everything to the end in this case and that everyone for whom responsibility is established is punished appropriately. These are things that must not happen – he said.

Filipović stated that he personally knew the suspect Damir Škugor and that he does not remember the last time he spoke with him and has never communicated with him via mobile phone.

– I do not have his number; we have never spoken on the phone, I have not exchanged messages with him; I know him superficially from gatherings – he said.

He also mentioned that he has not been in touch with former minister Tomislav Ćorić.

– Without pretensions to be Mr. Ćorić’s lawyer, a minister cannot know what is happening at the fourth level of management in INA. This is the responsibility of the INA Management and all supervisory mechanisms I have mentioned. There must be internal control; internal audit must do its job, and the Supervisory Board has its role – said Filipović.

The minister supports questioning responsibility       

Filipović commented on how much money can be extracted at lower levels of management in INA.

– I hope that such things have not happened, that people are responsible and act in accordance with the Companies Act, that they protect interests, and that they behave correctly as they should – he said.

The minister was also asked how to explain to entrepreneurs that gas must be more expensive if the state treats gas in its ownership this way.

– The state treats all crises we have faced so far by firmly standing by citizens and its economy. On April 1, the state reacted with 5 billion kuna in aid to the economy. Here, the responsibility lies with the INA Management. It is in majority Hungarian ownership; it cannot be said that the state is treating it. It is crucial to detect shortcomings and come to a situation where this never happens again. I will insist on this; I have requested this from the Management members, and I will persist on it – he said.

When asked if HEP can ask INA to sell them gas at 19 euros per megawatt hour and sell gas to citizens at a cheaper price, Filipović said that the Government will come out with a package of measures for entrepreneurs and citizens to help them get through the difficult period ahead.

– All deviant behaviors, I support all judicial bodies to investigate this to the very end – he said.

When asked if the affair will go beyond the five suspects, he said he cannot enter into that.

– It is known who was in the Management and Supervisory Board at the time of the contract signing, and I support that everyone’s responsibility in the process is questioned – said Filipović.