Vladimir Šeks, Croatian lawyer and politician, 16th Speaker of the Croatian Parliament

Vladimir Šeks, born on 1 January 1943, is a highly influential Croatian lawyer and politician whose career has spanned critical periods in Croatia's modern history, from its communist past to its emergence as an independent nation and beyond. A prominent figure within the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), he has played a pivotal role in shaping the country's legal and political landscape for decades.

Šeks's journey began with a strong foundation in law, as he graduated from the prestigious Zagreb Faculty of Law in 1966. His legal expertise would later become instrumental in both his political rise and his controversial public life.

Early Activism and Opposition to the Communist Regime

From 1972 to 1981, Šeks practiced law, a period that saw him increasingly involved in activities deemed "anti-state" by the then-communist Yugoslav regime. These actions were rooted in his political dissent and advocacy for human rights, challenging the authoritarian system in place. His defiance led to his arrest and subsequent imprisonment for 13 months in the notorious Stara Gradiška prison, a facility with a grim history known for its harsh conditions for political prisoners. Following his release, Šeks continued his commitment to human rights by serving as an attorney for various dissidents, most notably defending members of the "Belgrade Six" in 1984–85. This group comprised intellectuals and political activists prosecuted by the Yugoslav authorities, and Šeks's involvement in their defense underscored his unwavering opposition to the communist system and his dedication to justice, even at great personal risk.

A Key Figure in Croatia's Independence and Government

With the dawn of multi-party democracy and the push for Croatian independence in the early 1990s, Vladimir Šeks emerged as a central figure. In 1990, he was among the founders of the Osijek branch of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), a party that would lead Croatia to independence and dominate its political scene for years. His contributions extended significantly to the very foundation of the new state:

Controversies and Legal Scrutiny

Despite his long and influential political career, Vladimir Šeks has also been associated with several significant controversies and faced legal scrutiny.

Personal Tragedy: The Death of His Son
In a deeply tragic personal event, Šeks's 25-year-old son, Domagoj Šeks, was found dead in Goa, India, on 26 February 2005, after being reported missing by friends the day prior. The exact circumstances surrounding his death were never definitively determined, leaving an unresolved shadow over the incident.
Testimony in the Branimir Glavaš Trial
In 2009, Šeks testified as a witness for the defense in the trial of Branimir Glavaš, a former general and politician who faced charges related to war crimes committed during the Croatian War of Independence. However, Šeks's testimony was notably dismissed by the presiding judge as "completely implausible," and the court subsequently rendered a guilty verdict against Glavaš. This dismissal raised questions regarding the credibility of his testimony and his alleged knowledge of events related to the charges.
Amnesty International Allegations
The Glavaš trial had further repercussions for Šeks. In 2010, Amnesty International (AI), a renowned global human rights organization, issued a statement asserting that Šeks should be prosecuted based on testimony presented during the Glavaš trial. AI's statement implied potential involvement or knowledge of war crimes. In response, in January 2011, the Croatian Ministry of Justice publicly dismissed AI's conclusions, stating that they were "arbitrary and wrong" in the case of Šeks.
Controversy Surrounding the "Autumn Rains" Unit and Poljana Pakračka
One of the most serious controversies linked to Vladimir Šeks pertains to his alleged actions, or inactions, during the Yugoslav Wars. In 1997, it came to light that Šeks, then in a position of influence, declined to prosecute four members of the "Autumn Rains" unit, which operated under the command of Tomislav Merčep (who was later convicted of war crimes). These individuals were Miro Bajramović (a former police officer), Nebojša Hodak, Munib Suljić, and Igor Mikola.

The "Autumn Rains" unit was responsible for establishing and operating an elaborate and brutal detention center in Poljana Pakračka, located southeast of Zagreb. Here, prisoners, primarily ethnic Serbs, were subjected to horrific torture, including electric shocks, being doused with gasoline and burned alive. Miro Bajramović, one of the unit members, later confessed to widespread atrocities, stating that nearly all prisoners held there were executed and subsequently buried in mass graves. Bajramović's chilling confession included precise figures, claiming his unit was responsible for killing approximately 280 people in Poljana Pakračka and between 90 and 110 in Gospić.

While some members of this unit, including Bajramović, were eventually indicted and tried by local Croatian courts, they were notably not tried by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague. Bajramović himself received a sentence of 12 years in prison for his role in these grave crimes. Šeks's decision not to pursue prosecution against these individuals in 1997 remains a significant point of contention and a subject of ongoing debate regarding accountability for war crimes during the conflict.

Frequently Asked Questions about Vladimir Šeks

Who is Vladimir Šeks?
Vladimir Šeks is a prominent Croatian lawyer and politician, known for his long career in Croatian politics, including serving as Speaker of the Croatian Parliament and Deputy Prime Minister, and for his activism against the communist regime.
What was Vladimir Šeks's role in Croatia's independence?
Šeks was a co-founder of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) branch in Osijek in 1990 and was one of the main drafters of the crucial Constitution of Croatia in 1991, which laid the legal groundwork for the independent state.
Why was Vladimir Šeks imprisoned during the Yugoslav era?
He was arrested and imprisoned for 13 months (1981-1982) for "anti-state actions," which refers to his political dissent and legal advocacy against the communist Yugoslav regime.
What controversies has Vladimir Šeks been involved in?
Key controversies include the dismissal of his testimony as "implausible" in the Branimir Glavaš war crimes trial and allegations from Amnesty International regarding his potential accountability for war crimes, particularly concerning his decision not to prosecute members of the "Autumn Rains" unit involved in atrocities at Poljana Pakračka.
What happened at Poljana Pakračka?
Poljana Pakračka was a detention center run by the "Autumn Rains" unit during the Croatian War of Independence, where prisoners were subjected to extreme torture and execution. A former unit member confessed to killing hundreds of people there.