Croatian Teen Suspected of Spreading Bomb Hoaxes Across Nation

Croatian law enforcement, through the Office for the Suppression of Corruption and Organized Crime (USKOK), has launched an investigation into a 19-year-old Croatian citizen suspected of orchestrating a series of alarming false bomb threats across the nation. The suspect is accused of deliberately creating widespread fear and panic by sending multiple emails threatening the detonation of explosives at various educational facilities.

Between April 24 and April 29, 2026, the suspect allegedly utilized a mobile device to access an internet service and, using an account registered under another person's name, dispatched threatening messages. These emails targeted numerous institutions, including schools and kindergartens, in major cities such as Zagreb, Zadar, Opuzen, Split, and Ploče, specifically mentioning the cities of Ploče and Opuzen in connection with the alleged crime.

The gravity of these threats necessitated immediate action, leading to the evacuation of numerous schools and kindergartens and thorough anti-explosive sweeps by police. This disruption caused significant distress among children, staff, and the general public. USKOK has indicated its intention to request pre-trial detention for the suspect, citing the potential for the individual to commit similar offenses in the future, underscoring the seriousness with which these acts of terror are being treated within Croatia.