Plenković calls for accountability after arrest of former Olympic Committee official

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković on Friday commented on the arrest and detention of Damir Šegota, the former director of the Olympic Program Office at the Croatian Olympic Committee.

The 60-year-old Šegota is suspected of accepting at least €160,000 in bribes from Vedran Pavlek, the former head of the Croatian Ski Federation.

"We are a government that supports and values sport," Plenković said.

"At the same time, we are equally committed to ensuring accountability for anyone who abuses their position, breaks the law, or misappropriates funds intended to support athletes of all ages, sports clubs, national teams, and coaches. Anyone who has broken the law must be held accountable," he added.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Damir Habijan addressed ongoing efforts to extradite Pavlek from Kazakhstan.

"The extradition proceedings involving Vedran Pavlek are being handled by Kazakhstan's Attorney General's Office," Habijan said.

Pavlek, 53, is accused of siphoning more than €30 million from the Ski Federation over a period of ten years.

"We expect Pavlek to appeal the decision, after which the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan will make the final ruling on his extradition," Habijan said.