Croatian Police updates on arrest of Josip Oršuš - EXCLUSIVE
CE Report presents an exclusive interview with Radovan Gačal, spokesman for the Međimurska Country Police Administration as an integral part of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Croatia. In this interview, Gačal provides insights into the ongoing investigation regarding the suspect, the measures being taken by Croatian authorities, and the efforts to ensure the safety of the public in the wake of the recent incidents.
Could you provide an update on the current status of the manhunt for the suspect, including whether there are any leads on his whereabouts in Croatia?
On Saturday, December 6th, at 3:30 PM, the Međimurska Country Police Administration received notification from our Slovenian colleagues at the Murska Sobota Country Police Administration that the perpetrator of a serious murder, 40-year-old Josip Oršuš, had been found and arrested in the area of Bistrica.
Criminal charges against the 40-year-old for attempted serious murder of a female victim (a 29-year-old) and serious murder of a female victim (a 28-year-old) had previously been filed with the County State Attorney's Office in Varaždin with the aim of issuing a European arrest warrant. Based on the filed criminal charges, the County State Attorney's Office in Varaždin issued a decision to conduct an investigation against the 40-year-old. Simultaneously, the investigating judge of the County Court in Varaždin ordered the accused into pre-trial detention due to his flight from justice, danger of obstructing criminal proceedings by influencing witnesses, danger of reoffending, and due to the particularly grave circumstances of the commission of the crimes. The County State Attorney's Office Varaždin issued a European arrest warrant for the handover of the accused to the Republic of Croatia. On Tuesday, December 9, the perpetrator was surrendered and then transported to Varaždin Prison in the Republic of Croatia.
The Slovenian and Croatian police had been intensely exchanging all pieces of information related to the aforementioned serious crimes that could lead to the discovery of the perpetrator. In this regard, personal data and a photo of the perpetrator were exchanged. The public release of the perpetrator's photo contributed to his successful finding. Citizens reported to the Slovenian police that the perpetrator had been seen near the village of Bistrica, where he was soon found and arrested by the Slovenian police.
What measures are being taken by Croatian authorities to ensure public safety, particularly in border regions near Mursko Središće and Črenšovci?
During the extensive search, all locations were visited in accordance with gathered operational intelligence, as well as locations where the perpetrator was known to reside. A significant number of police forces regularly patrolled the Sitnice Roma settlement, while the murder scene, the victims' family home, was constantly monitored. Furthermore, members of all police branches, using drones, thermal cameras, and tracking dogs, searched the area along the state border of the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Croatia. An intensive search was also conducted in the wider location where the perpetrator´s vehicle was found (Raskrižje in the Republic of Slovenia).
Has the suspect’s prior criminal history influenced the tactics being used by police in the ongoing investigation?
Given the perpetrator's criminal past and the knowledge that he possessed firearms, special police forces, officers specially trained to apprehend and arrest armed fugitives, were used during his arrest.
Are there any official requests for public assistance, and how should citizens report potential sightings of the suspect safely?
The Međimurska Country Police Administration in agreement with the competent state attorney's office, immediately upon learning of the murders released the perpetrator's photo and his full name with the aim of warning citizens that the perpetrator was armed with a firearm. Citizens were also urged to immediately report any useful information that could lead to the apprehension and arrest of the perpetrator to the police at telephone number 192, and not to confront him as he was armed and dangerous.
What steps are being taken to provide support and protection for the surviving family members and the community affected by this incident?
Surviving family members of the victims immediately received support from the local community, specifically representatives of the Municipality of Mursko Središće and representatives of the Roma national minority. Furthermore, the competent Social Welfare Center took measures and actions within its jurisdiction to provide them with the necessary support and assistance.
Photo: Međimurska Country Police Administration building
This interview was prepared by Julian Müller
