Croatian police have arrested a 46-year-old child psychiatrist on suspicion of sexually abusing minor patients and supplying them with illegal drugs over several years, authorities said on Tuesday.
Police said the doctor, who worked at a hospital in the eastern city of Osijek, is suspected of committing multiple criminal offences against four patients who were minors at the time between 2016 and 2019, including inappropriate touching and giving them drugs. Investigators also allege he supplied drugs to two adults between 2018 and 2023.
During searches of the suspect’s home and workplace, police seized computers, mobile phones and quantities of narcotics, including marijuana, MDMA, amphetamines and hashish, according to a police statement.
A court ordered the suspect held in pre-trial detention on Tuesday, citing the risk of influencing witnesses and repeating the alleged offences, Croatian media reported.
Osijek University Hospital (KBC Osijek) said it had suspended the doctor immediately after being informed of the arrest and was cooperating fully with police and judicial authorities. The hospital declined further comment, citing the need to protect patients and the integrity of the ongoing proceedings.
The health ministry said it was “deeply appalled” by the allegations, calling the suspected acts unacceptable and a grave violation of professional and ethical standards. It said it had launched an internal oversight process and would support the work of prosecutors.
The Croatian Medical Chamber said it had opened disciplinary proceedings against the psychiatrist, adding that abuse of a medical position, particularly involving children, could not be tolerated.