The statement said the sources of such manipulations and attempts to discredit the diplomatic service were unreliable and and that the motives were personal interests of individuals who wanted to divert public attention from their own unlawful actions.
Globus weekly claimed that Croatian consulate personnel in Los Angeles and Munich had been involved in drug smuggling. In the Munich case, Croatia's police, Office for the Suppression of Corruption and Organised Crime, and the superiors were informed by a former ministry driver, Vladimir Topolovac, who was subsequently degraded and charged, said the weekly.
The ministry said Topolovac had been sentenced over life threats against another ministry employee and his immediate family. Due to his indiscipline and conflicts with colleagues, including physical assaults, the ministry said it had requested a re-examination of his working ability, after which Topolovac himself requested for an extended sick leave.