The USKOK anti-corruption office has launched an investigation into former public administration minister Lovro Kuscevic, suspecting him of initiating, when he was head of Nerezisca municipality on Brac island, a change of its physical plan, as well as of unlawfully enabling his brother-in-law to buy a governmment-subsidised flat.

Parliament recently stripped Kuscevic of immunity from prosecution. He resigned as minister in July under public pressure.

The investigation covers three other persons suspected of abuse of office, incitement to said abuse, and false depositions, USKOK said on Wednesday.

According to unofficial information, the other suspects are Kuscevic’s brother-in-law Ivica Zuvic, former Nerezisca Municipal Council chairman Jaksa Goic, and incumbent municipal head Svemir Obilinovic.

USKOK suspects that between December 2015 and January 2016 Kuscevic repurposed a barn he owned so that it could be registered as an accommodation facility, thus raising the value of the property by at least HRK 60,000.

USKOK also suspects that between November 2009 and August 2010 Kuscevic enabled Zuvic to buy a flat under a government-subsidised housing scheme although Zuvic, who has owned a flat since 2007, was not eligible for it. USKOK contends that Zuvic gained at least EUR 17,369 in the process.

(EUR 1 = HRK 7.39)