Three arrested over wave of false bomb threats across Croatia

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the recent wave of false bomb threats—two minors and a 19-year-old.

In Zagreb, one suspect has been remanded in custody for a month to prevent witness tampering and repeat offences. After questioning, a judge in Split placed the second minor, aged 15, under temporary supervision by social services. The 19-year-old, arrested in Ploče, has also been remanded in custody for a month. All three face terrorism charges.

“Prevention in general is crucial. When children—and it is mostly children—sit down at their computers, they will have to think very carefully about what they are doing. You don’t play with fire. The damage has been done, but we have sent a preventive message. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen again,” said State Attorney General Ivan Turudić.

“I am warning young people not to do this, to consider their actions carefully, and to steer clear of bizarre online groups where they have no idea who they are communicating with. We will see what further investigation reveals. Regardless, this kind of behavior is very disturbing,” said Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.

Over the past two weeks, schools, daycare centers, shopping malls, and other institutions received email bomb threats. More than 750 facilities were targeted. All threats were found to be false, causing a significant strain on police resources.

The investigation is ongoing and Interior Minister Davor Božinović said that it is unclear yet if all of the threats could be traced to these three suspects.