Fight against corruption does not end with Sanader, Minister warns

The Croatian Interior Minister Tomislav Karamarko has said that the fight against corruption in Croatia will not end with Ivo Sanader's arrest and that other such occurrences are to follow.He added that the former Prime Minister Sanader's extradition from Austria could happen in the next few days, while the trial itself could last several months. Sanader is wanted on charges of corruption and abuse of position."The fight against corruption in Croatia has not ended with this case. It will continue, which means that new investigations and new arrests can be expected," Karamarko said. He refused to name these suspects as this could disrupt the investigations.Karamarko also spoke about the establishment of a regional centre to fight against organized crime."Such a centre already practically exists, regardless of the fact that the police of the two countries do not sit in the same building," Karamarko said, reminding that Croatia and Serbia had signed a bilateral agreement in May that establishes a stronger cooperation between the two countries' police forces in fighting organized crime."We said then that we will work together on achieving a constant cooperation that would not depend on political relations, the current situation or statements made by politicians.""It is imperative that our joint investigative teams – which already exist – work productively," said Karamarko, adding that the joint centre was not established under the pressure of the international community, but that it had been an initiative of the two countries' interior ministers.He added that both Serbia and Croatia would be happy if other countries would join the centre, the daily Jutarnji List writes.The headquarters of the regional center for the fight against organized crime will be in Belgrade and will be headed by a representative from the Croatian Ministry of the Interior.

Source: Croatian Times Online News