Former Inter and Milan player Dario Šimić arrested in corruption case
Former Croatian footballer Dario Šimić, who played for Inter and Milan, has been arrested in Zagreb as part of an investigation into corruption linked to the issuing of building permits for a camp in Tisno.
Former Inter and Milan player Dario Šimić arrested in corruption case
Former Croatian international and footballer Dario Šimić has been arrested in Zagreb as part of an investigation into corruption. The investigation concerns the issuing of building permits for a small camp on the central Adriatic coast.
Šimić, a former defender who played for Dinamo Zagreb, Inter and Milan, was brought in together with two other people. The arrest was confirmed by his lawyer, although police and the anti-corruption prosecutor have not officially commented on the case. Croatian media published photographs showing the former footballer being led out of a police vehicle in handcuffs.
The subject of the investigation is a camp in Tisno which has ten plots and a maximum capacity of thirty guests. According to investigators, building permits were issued between 2020 and 2021 despite the fact that part of the land was classified as non-buildable and non-compliant with urban planning regulations. Officials suspect that the permits were obtained through bribery.
In addition to Šimić, a former official of the regional tourism authority and a local entrepreneur who allegedly mediated the transaction were also brought in. The official is accused of helping to obtain the necessary approvals. The same official, together with four other people, was already charged last year for allegedly illegally issuing permits. Furthermore, in 2024, authorities in Tisno filed a complaint against Šimić for alleged unauthorised work on a protected coastal area.
Šimić's lawyer Ivan Stanić rejected the accusations, calling them unfounded. "My client has always acted honestly and with integrity," Stanić said, adding that Šimić does not feel guilty because he has not committed any illegal action. The lawyer ruled out the possibility of detention being imposed.
Dario Šimić is one of the most well-known figures in Croatian football. He began his career at Dinamo Zagreb in 1992, and made his international debut four years later. He was part of the team that finished third at the 1998 World Cup. After six seasons at Dinamo, he moved to Inter, and then to Milan, with whom he won one league title and two Champions League titles. In 2008 he moved to Monaco before returning to Dinamo and ending his playing career. That same year he left the national team, becoming the first Croatian player with more than 100 appearances. After retirement he established a mineral water production company.
Source: Sky TG24
Source: Google News IT — Crime (it)