Božidar Kalmeta

Božidar Kalmeta is a Croatian politician and former HDZ Minister of Maritime Affairs, Transport, and Infrastructure (2003–2011). In a recent non-final verdict at the Zagreb County Court regarding the HAC-Remorker and Prometna renesansa Hrvatska cases, Kalmeta was sentenced to two and a half years of partial imprisonment. He must serve 10 months in prison and the remainder on probation for four years, and he is ordered to repay 81,000 euros to the state. This conviction relates specifically to the illegal commissioning of a promotional film, "The Croatian Transport Renaissance," using public funds for political propaganda. In the same trial, Kalmeta was acquitted of more serious corruption and embezzlement charges, including allegations that he led a group to extract money from state-owned road companies through the Remorker scheme. The court notably did not accept the testimony of plea-bargaining witnesses Josip Sapunar and Igor Premilovac as sufficiently relevant. Kalmeta has consistently denied all wrongdoing, describing the allegations as politically motivated, and has announced his intent to appeal the conviction. The case is subject to further review by the High Criminal Court.