Police in Split suspect a doctor, a psychologist and an employee of issuing medical certificates without the required examinations. At least two cases concern seafarers.

01

What police allege

The Split-Dalmatia Police Department has completed an investigation into a 75-year-old doctor, a 79-year-old psychologist and a 40-year-old employee. They are suspected of issuing medical certificates without carrying out the required examinations.

The certificates for drivers, athletes and seafarers are alleged to have been produced between December 2025 and 19 May 2026. Documents were seized; the criminal proceedings have not reached a final conclusion.

02

At least two cases concern seafarers

According to police, the doctor is suspected of at least fourteen counts of abuse of office. In at least two cases, the doctor and psychologist allegedly produced seafarers’ certificates without a medical examination or psychological assessment.

The report therefore does not state the total number of seafarers who may be affected. Nor does it say that any person was in fact unfit to drive or serve at sea.

03

Why the examination is more than paperwork

Croatian regulations govern seafarers’ medical examinations because vision, hearing, physical capacity and psychological fitness can be relevant to safety on board. The examination required depends on the role, certificate and applicable rules.

A stamp issued without the prescribed assessment would therefore involve more than an administrative formality. It could undermine trust in a system intended to protect crews, passengers and vessels. No specific danger has been established in the published case, however.

04

What affected people should not do hastily

The police report does not automatically invalidate every certificate issued in Split. The issuer, document, examination process and any instruction from the competent authority would all matter.

Anyone who needs to check their own certificate from the period in question should contact the competent harbour or health authority, or an authorised occupational-health service. Public searches for names and premature judgments are no substitute for an individual review.

Evidence

Sources & date

Sources support the facts. Planning notes and recommendations are Golden Beach editorial assessments.

  1. Criminal investigation into suspected issue of medical certificates without the required examinations completedSplit-Dalmatia Police Department · 3 September 2026suspects, period, extent of the allegations, seafarer cases and seized documents
  2. Regulation on determining the medical fitness of seagoing ship crew membersNarodne novine · NN 93/2007basic requirements for seafarers’ medical examinations
  3. Amendment to the regulationNarodne novine · NN 107/2014subsequent amendment of the rules
Time-sensitive information may change. Please check the linked primary source before travelling.