Former Judge Sentenced to 4.5 Years for Bribery

Former Šibenik judge Maja Šupe has been sentenced to 4.5 years in prison and ordered to repay 15,000 euros for accepting a bribe. The Split County Court found Šupe guilty of accepting the money in 2013 from businessman Blažo Petrović in exchange for an acquittal.

Petrović, who was also provisionally convicted, allegedly arranged the bribe through lawyer Branimir Zmijanović. The agreement stipulated 15,000 euros for an acquittal, with 6,000 euros paid upfront and the remaining 9,000 euros upon the verdict becoming final.

The court detailed how Zmijanović, in collusion with Petrović, drafted a preliminary real estate sales contract. This contract involved Šupe's mother selling property for 59,100 euros, with an initial payment of 6,000 euros. Šupe's mother signed the contract at her daughter's request, and Petrović subsequently transferred 45,000 kuna (6,000 euros) to the mother's account, designated as payment for the preliminary agreement, with the clear intention of delivering the agreed-upon bribe.

Šupe gained public notoriety for her handling of the Tomislav Horvatinčić case, where she initially issued a conditional sentence and later an acquittal for a fatal maritime accident. Higher courts overturned both rulings.