May the 23rd, 2026 – A 21-year-old Croatian woman was arrested in Zagreb after a video circulated online in which she had attacked a Filipino man in the city centre.
The case has been widely reported in Croatian media with plenty of rumours flying around. It is also currently under police investigation, but what actually happened?
The incident took place in central Zagreb in the early hours of the morning in early May near the wider city centre area. The man in question was walking when he was approached by the woman who then physically attacked him.
A video that spread rapidly on social media shows the woman striking the man repeatedly while he does not respond with any violence at all. In the footage, bystanders are seen nearby but initially do not intervene.
an alleged attempted bag robbery
Unofficial reports cited in Croatian media suggested that the confrontation may have begun after the woman accused the man of attempting to steal her bag. However, this has not been officially confirmed by police, and the exact trigger of the incident remains part of the ongoing investigation.
the police response
Zagreb police confirmed that the Croatian woman who attacked the Filipino man was detained shortly after the incident and that a criminal investigation remains underway. Authorities have not yet released full details about charges, but Croatian reports indicate she is being investigated for violent behaviour in a public place, with possible further charges depending on the outcome of the case. It is also alleged that she had previously attacked another girl and that a custodial sentence is being sought.
the event was filmed
The incident gained national and regional attention after the video spread widely across social media platforms, sparking strong public reaction and debate. Reactions online have ranged from condemnation of the violence to wider discussions about safety, migration, and rising tensions in urban environments.
the official line
Local authorities have condemned violence and confirmed that the investigation is ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the case, including motive and sequence of events.
