PM: It's crucial to abide by procedural rules and to strictly separate the powers of the judicial bodies and the gov't

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Tuesday it was important that Croatian bodies which requested the extradition of Ivica Todoric get explanations from UK bodies about their actions, after the founder of the Agrokor conglomerate was arrested and released on bail in London earlier today and a new hearing in his case was scheduled for 10 April 2018.

Speaking to reporters after a session of the parliamentary group of his HDZ party, Plenkovic said he heard about Todoric's arrest and release from the media and reiterated that he did not intend to comment on the procedural aspects of the case.

He said explanations from UK bodies should be requested by the Croatian bodies that filed the request for Todoric's extradition. Todoric, who was arrested on a European arrest warrant issued by Croatia, told a London court he was against extradition to Croatia. When an arrestee opposes extradition, the warrant must be executed within 60 days.

Asked why the next hearing in Todoric's case would be held much later than envisaged under the European arrest warrant, Plenkovic said that was why "it would be good if our bodies asked for explanations."

He would not comment on Todoric's statements after being released on bail, reiterating that in the whole case "it's crucial to abide by procedural rules and to strictly separate the powers of the judicial bodies and the government as the executive body."

Asked if he planned to amend the law on inquiry commissions, of which President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic talked today, he said, "I didn't talk about that with her."

He confirmed that Ladislav Ilcic, president of the Hrast party, would be an advisor to Culture Minister Nina Obuljen Korzinek. "He can certainly make an appropriate contribution," Plenkovic said.

Text: Hina

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