Croatia's many beautiful destinations along the Adriatic remain a top destination for international tourists, including many Australians.
Here, what was planned as an innocent prank by one Australian tourist took a bad turn. One night, a group of friends were having dinner. One man playfully took his friend’s wallet and used a credit card to pay the bill. Unaware of the prank, his friend reported his missing wallet and cards to the police as a possible theft.
The police linked the card activity to the prankster. After questioning, they took his passport. The police referred the man to the Public Prosecutor for potential charges. What started as a harmless joke became a serious matter.
When the victim realised it was a prank by his friend, he asked the police to dismiss the case, but they refused.
Confined and unable to leave Croatia, he sought help at the Australian Embassy in Zagreb. Renata, an experienced consular officer, took on his case.
Renata highlighted the language barrier as a challenge.
‘The client was confused about the legal process and why he couldn’t leave the country.’
The case pressed on even though the sum of $200 seemed minor.
Renata explained, ‘Police must follow procedures once criminal activity is reported.’
She helped the man understand the Croatian legal system.
‘We helped connect him with English-speaking lawyers. Our involvement helped with the process’, Renata explained.
The travel advisory for Croatia warns of delays in the legal system. This could have prepared the man for the lengthy process he faced.
With a guilty plea, the case resolved. But left him with a fine and a criminal record. This criminal record later complicated his plans to travel to the United States.
Despite having travel insurance, the man couldn’t use it.
‘Travel insurance policies don’t cover arrests or detentions’, Renata said.
This incident reminds us of the importance of respecting local laws. Even minor misjudgements can have lasting consequences.
It means a lot when we can show our support and have a positive impact. But regardless of being on holiday, people need to respect local laws and customs.
Smartraveller
You’re subject to the local laws and penalties of any country you visit. This includes laws and penalties that may appear harsh by Australian standards.
The police issue on-the-spot fines for some minor offences. They may hold your passport if you challenge them or don’t pay.
Read more about staying within the law on the Smartraveller website.