Croatia detains Serbian national suspected of hacking public institutions

An investigating judge of the Zagreb County Court has, at the request of the County State Attorney's Office, ordered the pre-trial detention of a 33-year-old Serbian national suspected of hacking Croatian institutions.

The State Attorney's Office (DORH) said that the 33-year-old was placed in pre-trial detention due to the risk of flight, the risk of obstructing the criminal proceedings and the risk of reoffending, CE Report quotes HINA.

The prosecutor's office said it had carried out the suspect's initial questioning in connection with several criminal offences against computer systems, programs and data, as well as offences involving the unauthorized use of personal data.

There is reasonable suspicion that, during 2026, the 33-year-old concealed his identity and location and, using IT methods that enable anonymized access to computer systems, unlawfully accessed the computer systems and data of several public authorities and legal entities established by the Republic of Croatia.

The Police Directorate earlier reported that, as part of the investigation and on the basis of a court order, premises, vehicles and electronic devices had been searched. Items and digital data suspected of being linked to the commission of the offences were seized.

It also said that the criminal investigation was continuing in order to establish all the circumstances of the case.

The Zagreb Police Department (PUZ) reported that the 33-year-old was allegedly attacked and strangled by a 22-year-old while they were together in a holding room for detained persons. Police officers reacted immediately, and the younger detainee stopped the attack.

PUZ added that the 33-year-old received medical treatment at Sveti Duh Clinical Hospital and that the severity of his injuries has not yet been determined.

Photo AI