Former Croatia footballer Dario Simic arrested in corruption case

Former Croatian international footballer Dario Simic was arrested on Tuesday in an anti-corruption operation linked to a coastal campsite development, local media and prosecutors said.

Anti-corruption prosecutors said an investigation had been opened into three Croatian nationals suspected of the unlawful issuing of a permit that allowed a campsite to operate. They said the suspects were being investigated over alleged abuse of office and authority, and incitement to commit such abuse, but did not identify them in the statement.

The state-run HINA news agency reported that Simic was detained in Zagreb. Local media published photographs showing him in handcuffs leaving a police vehicle.

Simic's lawyer, Ivan Stanic, told media that the accusations were unfounded and said Simic had always acted honestly and with integrity. Stanic said Simic did not feel guilty because he had never committed an unlawful act. He declined to give further details about the allegations.

Prosecutors said they did not ask for the suspects to be held in custody because there were no grounds for that measure.

HINA reported that two other people were taken into custody with the 50-year-old Simic. They included a former regional tourism official accused of helping Simic obtain the campsite permit and a local businessman who allegedly acted as an intermediary.

In 2024, local authorities in Tisno, where the campsite is located, filed complaints against Simic over alleged illegal construction in a protected coastal zone. Media reports said the case involved a small private campsite with 10 pitches for as many as 30 people. The former tourism official and four others were charged last year with allegedly issuing unlawful campsite permits.

Simic retired from international football in 2008 after becoming the first Croatian player to win 100 caps. A defender, he began his club career with Dinamo Zagreb in 1992 and played his first international match four years later. He was part of the Croatia team that finished third at the 1998 World Cup.

After six seasons at Dinamo, Simic joined Inter Milan and later moved to AC Milan, where he won one Serie A title and two Champions League trophies. He joined Monaco in 2008 and returned to Dinamo two years later before retiring. He has since founded a bottled water company that is sold across the region.