Croatian pilot, his partner from Kosovska Mitrovica remanded in custody over espionage

The pre-trial detention was imposed due to the possibility of witness tampering or the risk that, if released, the suspects could destroy, hide, or falsify evidence relevant to the case. In addition, the woman, a sociologist, was remanded in custody due to the risk of flight, given that she is a foreign national. Under the Croatian Criminal Code, the prescribed penalty for espionage ranges from six months to five years in prison.

The two were interrogated on Wednesday at the Split County Attorney's Office. The investigation is being conducted by civil and military police, as well as Europol. Authorities suspect that the military pilot passed classified information to his partner, who then forwarded it to the political party Srpska Lista (Serb List), Hina reported.

After being arrested in late July on the island of Vis, where they were on holiday, the pilot was released, while his partner was placed at the Trilj Transit Reception Centre for Foreigners, after which she was to be deported from Croatia with a 10-year entry ban, said Hina.

According to media reports, investigators later uncovered incriminating messages by examining their mobile devices and communications, leading to suspicion of international espionage. Media also reported that the detained woman allegedly works for a German organization and has been criminally charged for collecting information that the Split-based military pilot had been passing to her over the last three years. He had previously served in Kosovo as part of the Croatian contingent (HRVCON) within KFOR.

It is suspected that the two exchanged WhatsApp messages in which he conveyed confidential information about the movements and plans of KFOR forces related to the situation in northern Kosovo. She allegedly forwarded this intelligence to leaders of Srpska Lista and even to a journalist from a well-known international news agency. The information reportedly included details on Serb movements in northern Kosovo since late 2022, KFOR troop movements, and other sensitive data, Hina reported.