Doctor Krstonijević sentenced to 11 months in prison: sentence commuted to community service, must pay €19,700

Dr. Zoran Krstonijević, a specialist in general surgery, orthopedics, and traumatology at Sveti Duh Clinical Hospital, has been convicted and sentenced for his role in a bribery scheme. The Zagreb County Court handed down an 11-month prison sentence, which has been commuted to community service, alongside a significant fine of €19,700.

The investigation, which involved secret surveillance and wiretapping, revealed a pattern of patients presenting with injuries, suggesting a coordinated effort. Dr. Krstonijević was accused of collaborating with two individuals, Josip Krol and Mario Lukunić, to falsify medical documentation for patients they referred. In return for these fraudulent documents, which were needed for various purposes, Dr. Krstonijević allegedly accepted bribes.

Furthermore, the indictment detailed how Krstonijević would prioritize these referred patients, bypassing official waiting lists, and ensuring they received prompt surgical treatment. He was also ordered to repay €2,600 in unlawfully obtained financial gains to the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) and cover €500 in court costs. While Dr. Krstonijević has admitted guilt and reached an agreement with the prosecution (USKOK), one co-defendant who did not admit guilt will face a separate trial.

Dr. Krstonijević's lawyer, Mate Matić, emphasized that this conviction represents an 'excess' for a previously unblemished medical professional. Matić argued that the financial penalty is substantial, significantly exceeding the alleged illicit gains, and serves as a strong deterrent. He expressed regret over the situation, noting the severe consequences for a doctor who has dedicated his life to his expertise, and indicated that his client would likely perform his community service within the healthcare system.

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This is about a doctor, for whom this is an excess, who has not been convicted before, so USKOK accepted that he be sentenced to work for the common good. A secondary monetary fine was imposed on him, and USKOK is doing quite well with this because a monetary fine is an extremely good way to show people who have committed an excess, and who have not been convicted before, that they have done something they should not have. And thus the system is not burdened. My client regrets what he has done, and the work for the common good will likely be done within the system. When you look at it, the secondary monetary fine here is almost ten times larger than the illicit benefit that they claim he obtained, and that is a model that should be followed. This verdict should also send a message because the biggest punishment for a person can be a monetary fine.