The Office of the State Prosecutor of the Split County has confirmed the launch of an investigation into a Croatian military pilot and his partner, a Serbian national from Mitrovica, over suspicions of espionage for Serbia. The investigation has been classified as confidential, according to a statement reported by dnevnik.hr.
“Following a criminal complaint from the Independent Military Police Sector on 27 August 2025, the State Prosecutor’s Office of Split County conducted preliminary investigative actions and issued a decision to investigate the first defendant, a Croatian citizen (born 1971), and the second defendant, a Serbian citizen (born 1979), for the criminal offense of espionage under Article 348 of the Penal Code,” the statement reads.
The decision stipulates full confidentiality of the investigation, as public disclosure could jeopardize procedures and the progress of the investigation.
Croatian media report that the prosecutor’s office has proposed pre-trial detention for both defendants:
- The Croatian defendant – due to the risk of influencing witnesses and the potential repetition of the offense.
- The Serbian defendant – due to the risk of flight, influence over witnesses, and potential repetition of the offense.
The investigating judge partially accepted the proposal, ordering pre-trial detention due to risk of witness tampering and risk of flight, but rejected the part concerning the risk of repeating the offense.
The State Prosecutor’s Office of Split County announced it will appeal the portions of the decision that were rejected.
