Investigators search suspects’ homes in €32m ski association corruption probe

Anti-corruption investigators and police gathered evidence on Thursday in a case involving alleged corruption and money laundering at the Croatian Ski Association (CroSki), arresting several people and searching homes and other properties in Zagreb and Istria County, the USKOK anti-corruption agency said.

Investigators are also trying to locate the former director of the Alpine Ski Team, Vedran Pavlek, who is believed to be one of the main suspects. Pavlek’s attorney Laura Valković, declined to comment on the whereabouts of her client.

Although authorities have not confirmed details, media reports say investigators searched the homes of managing director Damir Raos, former spokesperson Nenad Eror, and three others linked to the Ski Association. They are expected to be questioned after the searches are completed.

Investigators suspect the group embezzled and laundered around 32 million euros from the association over the past decade. A significant portion of that money allegedly went to Pavlek, who is believed to have spent some of it on luxury goods, holidays, and the construction of a villa in Ibiza.

Tourism and Sports Minister Tonči Glavina says he condemns any actions that damage the reputation of sport in Croatia, adding that the Croatian Olympic Committee is responsible for overseeing how sports federations spend their funds.

"We have not received any complaints regarding the financing of this federation or any other. If we had, we would have acted," Glavina said, adding that he expects the Croatian Olympic Committee to examine the case very seriously.

Justice Minister Damir Habijan described the amount of money allegedly stolen as "shocking."

"It is disappointing that something as positive as sport can be linked to crimes like this," Habijan said, adding that he expects justice to take its course.

Media reports say investigators also visited the Croatian Olympic Committee earlier this week to examine how the Ski Association is funded.

The investigation began last month, when former spokesperson Nenad Eror was stopped by customs officers at the border while returning from the Winter Olympics in Cortina, carrying 120 thousand euros in cash.