Witnesses Describe HZMO Hiring in Trial of Former Ministers

The Zagreb County Court heard testimony about alleged political intervention in hiring at Croatia’s pension institute, HZMO, as the trial of four former ministers continued. The case, known as “Aunts and Uncles,” involves former ministers Darko Horvat, Josip Aladrović, Tomislav Tolušić and Boris Milošević, as well as Županja Mayor Damir Juzbašić.

USKOK alleges that Horvat unlawfully awarded 2.6 million kuna in grants in 2018 to businesses in which he had a personal interest. Prosecutors also accuse Milošević and Tolušić of pressing officials on behalf of companies they supported. Aladrović allegedly intervened in two unlawful hires while serving as director of HZMO in 2018 and 2019. Horvat allegedly encouraged him, either personally or through Ana Mandac.

Mandac, who served as Horvat’s assistant minister, initially faced charges but later admitted guilt. Under a deal with USKOK, she received an 11-month prison sentence converted into community service. Velimir Žunec and Katica Mišković also admitted guilt and were convicted.

“

I was actively looking for work, so I applied for every available competition. I prepared for the tests by collecting questions from colleagues, internet forums and social media because the questions were often repeated.

Lidija Sinković, a law graduate, told the court that she applied for several HZMO positions in 2017 and 2018 while actively seeking work. She prepared for tests using questions gathered from colleagues, internet forums and social media. Before one competition, Mandac gave her test materials. Sinković said she assumed contact had gone through Horvat because her father knew him and had been active in the HDZ in Međimurje.

Sinković said Mandac gave her questions twice, including for a competition in which she was not hired. She accepted the material because she feared remaining without work or income, but could not remember whether the questions were identical to those on the tests. When shown messages, she said she did not remember the details and thought she might not yet have known Mandac at the time. She also said she had told Horvat she was looking for work, but not asked him to secure a job for her.

“

I do not remember whether the questions I received from Ana Mandac were identical to those that appeared in the test.