Marin Miletić, a Member of Parliament, arrived at the beach below the Hilton in Rijeka on Saturday morning. The event took place on the sea side, with Miletić arriving at the location accompanied by several people. The aim of the visit was the physical removal of obstacles preventing public passage.
To enable free access to the sea, Miletić used a grinder to open the entrance to the beach. This is a continuation of the long-standing dispute over access to this area. Miletić has previously removed padlocks, but these had been reinstalled after his departure.
The MP stated that a contract for a beach as held by the Hilton does not exist for any other hotel in Croatia. He maintains that access to the sea must be free for all. He believes that existing concession agreements can be changed, refuting claims that signed contracts are not subject to amendment.
Milević stated that he was uncomfortable having to use a grinder, but emphasised that when the state does not do its job, he must do it for the good of the people. He stated that he had reported the matter to the State Attorney's Office, specifically that the DORH had been informed that entry was being charged at the beach.
In his statements, Milević also addressed the comments of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Prefect, Ivica Luković. He also cited the example of Austria, where exclusive private beaches are advertised, using this as a contrast to the current situation in Rijeka.
