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Trial begins for Josipa Pleslić on charges of illegal hiring; one defendant admits guilt
🇭🇷 Croatia /Crime & Justice

Trial begins for Josipa Pleslić on charges of illegal hiring; one defendant admits guilt

From Večernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified In the courts
  • The trial of Josipa Pleslić (formerly Rimac) and 11 co-defendants began on charges of illegal hiring and favoritism.
  • One co-defendant, Jelena Drlje, pleaded guilty and her case was separated for sentencing based on a plea agreement.
  • Another defendant, Branko Lapčić, failed to appear due to illness, prompting the court to verify his medical documentation.

The trial against Josipa Pleslić, formerly known as Rimac, and eleven other individuals commenced at the Zagreb County Court, facing charges related to illegal employment practices and preferential treatment. The proceedings were marked by a guilty plea from one co-defendant and the unexplained absence of another.

One guilty plea and the non-appearance of one defendant who apologized due to illness marked the beginning of the trial.

— Court reporterDescribing the opening day of the trial involving Josipa Pleslić and co-defendants.

Jelena Drlje opted to admit guilt, leading to the separation of her case for sentencing in accordance with a plea agreement reached with the USKOK anti-corruption office. This development follows earlier agreements where 14 other defendants had already pleaded guilty and settled with USKOK.

Jelena Drlje decided to plead guilty today, so the proceedings against her were separated in order to impose a sentence based on the agreement.

— Court reporterExplaining the procedural separation of Jelena Drlje's case after her guilty plea.

Branko Lapčić, another co-defendant, did not appear in court, citing illness as the reason for his absence. The court has decided to have his medical documentation reviewed by an expert to ascertain the validity of his excuse. Should the absence be deemed unjustified, the court intends to order his apprehension.

Branko Lapčić did not appear in court because he justified his absence with illness.

— Court reporterReporting on the reason provided for Branko Lapčić's absence from the trial.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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