Croatian authorities have detained a 29 year old man accused of illegally burying a large amount of waste near Velika Gorica, in a case that has raised serious concerns about environmental protection and the illegal handling of waste. A judge at the County Court in Velika Gorica ordered investigative detention after the suspect was arrested last week in Obrezine while allegedly burying waste directly into the ground. Prosecutors say the case involves illegal waste management in an area important for water protection, making the potential environmental consequences particularly serious.
According to the State Attorney’s Office, the suspect allegedly operated without the required permit and improperly handled construction, municipal and other types of waste. Authorities suspect that the waste was deposited on several cadastral plots belonging to different private owners, as well as on state owned land. The activity reportedly began at the start of July and continued across multiple locations. Because the area is designated for water protection, investigators believe the illegal dumping could have endangered the quality of soil, groundwater, plants and animals.
The case has attracted additional attention because the suspect was already known to police. Croatian authorities say that Zagreb police had previously dealt with the man several times and had filed criminal reports against him in connection with various offenses. The latest investigation is focused specifically on suspected environmental damage caused by improper waste management. Under Croatian law, a person convicted of endangering the environment through waste can face a prison sentence of up to two years. The maximum penalty can rise to five years in cases where waste management seriously threatens people, animals, plants or the quality of air, soil or water.
The incident highlights the broader problem of illegal waste disposal and the potential consequences when waste is handled outside the regulated system. Authorities are now investigating the full extent of the activity and its possible impact on the protected area near Velika Gorica. The decision to place the suspect in investigative detention allows the legal process to continue while investigators establish exactly what was dumped, where it was deposited and whether environmental contamination occurred. The case is likely to receive further attention as Croatian authorities continue efforts to prevent illegal waste disposal and protect areas that are particularly important for water and environmental safety.
