5 executives arrested at leading Croatian brewery over toxic gas leak

Five executives from a leading Croatian brewery were arrested on suspicion of liability for toxic emissions that have allegedly poisoned one man and his dog, police said Thursday.

The five, including the chief technical director and other production managers, faced charges of violating public safety and endangering lives and property. The company, Karlovacka pivovara d.o.o, which is owned by the Heineken group, also faced charges.

The main brands produced at the brewery are Karlovacka and Heineken. Karlovacka said it was fully cooperating with investigators.

One man suddenly fell into a coma after he was walking his dog near a stream beside the plant last month. Nearby residents have also complained of dizzy spells, nausea and other health problems.

Although experts initially feared ammoniac poisoning, tests by state health inspectors and medical staff at the regional hospital showed that the victim and his pet suffered from excessive inhalation of carbon dioxide.

The elderly man remains in a deep coma with severe damage to his internal organs.

Authorities said preliminary inspections at the plant suggest a water freezing malfunction caused a leak into the atmosphere around the plant some 50 kilometers (31 miles) east of the capital, Zagreb.

Investigative judge Jasmina Jerinic-Musnjak ordered the suspects released after overnight questioning Thursday, saying they did not present a flight risk.

However, one suspect's Hungarian passport was seized.

The suspects face up to 10 years in prison, while the brewery could face millions in punitive damages.