In Oroslavje, a gathering in support of Mayor Viktor Šimunić was held on Saturday, 31 October, bringing together around 100 citizens. The assembly was organised in the courtyard of the mayor's family home, two weeks after the State Anti-Corruption Office (USKOK) opened an investigation against him.
The gathering proceeded under the slogan "With Viktor today, for a fairer Croatia tomorrow", and was organised by citizens gathered in the Facebook group "Citizens with Viktor Šimunić". Attendees carried banners and symbolically lit candles for all victims of corruption in Croatia.
Šimunić himself joined the gathering, telling journalists that he was not the organiser of the event. He explained that he had opened the courtyard of his family home to the citizens once he learned of the assembly. He conveyed that people had come because they believe that equal rules do not apply to everyone in society, adding: "The truth will eventually come to light."
Šimunić did not wish to speak about the details of the USKOK investigation. He stated that the investigation is non-public and that his lawyers had advised him not to comment on it. He reiterated that he had never received money or any service, and that he had never ordered anyone to break the law or any other regulation.
He also expressed dissatisfaction with the police presence, noting that he had heard from citizens that four or five police patrols were located in the Oroslavje area. The Krapina-Zagorje County Police Directorate had previously announced that it would record the gathering under the Police Duties and Powers Act, which police may conduct as part of securing public assemblies.
Gathering organiser Goran Bivol emphasised that the event has broader symbolism. According to him, it is also a show of support for other people who had warned about corruption and suffered consequences because of it, and he conveyed that "the truth cannot be confiscated". Attendees lit candles dedicated to the victims of corruption.
USKOK opened an investigation against Šimunić, three other individuals and two companies on 14 October. The investigation was opened due to suspicions of favouritism in the awarding of jobs for Advent in Oroslavje in 2024. According to investigators' suspicions, two companies were pre-secured jobs for the rental of an ice rink and festival huts and equipment, without conducting the prescribed procurement procedures, and the value of those jobs amounted to a total of €46,116.
Šimunić rejects the suspicions. He claims that the action against him is linked to his previous public warnings about irregularities in the financing of sports federations, but USKOK has rejected claims of a connection between the investigation and those public statements. The investigation is ongoing, and the criminal liability of the suspects has not been established.
