The President of Croatia, Zoran Milanović, has reacted following the launch of investigations against a Croatian army pilot, J. I., who is facing espionage charges.
In a statement from his office, the president expressed support for state institutions, particularly the Military Security and Intelligence Agency (VSOA), which identified possible criminal activities affecting national security and took measures to uncover the case.
Milanović was kept informed in time about the actions of the security services and has called for a swift and transparent investigation to clarify all the facts.
According to reports from Index.hr, the pilot is suspected of leaking classified information over several years, in cooperation with his partner, A. M., a Serbian national who worked and lived in Kosovo. They were arrested on the island of Vis.
Investigations suggest that between 2022 and 2025, the pilot provided his partner with information about Serb movements in northern Kosovo, KFOR troop deployments, and the situation in Zubin Potok, an area known for ethnic and political tensions. They are also suspected of exchanging information about the case of Dejan Pantić, a former Kosovo policeman whose arrest in late 2022 triggered unrest and barricades.
His partner is suspected of cooperating with journalists and a foreign government.
Meanwhile, the pilot denies the accusations, claiming he is the victim of a setup and describing his partner as a victim as well. People who know him describe him as a dedicated professional and are surprised by the developments.
The Croatian Ministry of Defense confirmed that he had passed security clearance, but prosecutors claim to have enough evidence to launch a deeper investigation. His partner was initially placed in a reception center for foreigners, but is now under investigation for espionage.
