The statement said that the charge d'affaires at the Croatian Embassy in Sofia had informed in detail officials at the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry about the reasons why Croatia is seeking Brankovic's extradition.
According to information provided by the Croatian diplomat, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry believes that General Cedomir Brankovic does not have diplomatic immunity although the court in Sofia ordered his release.
The Bulgarian State Prosecutor's Office appealed against the court ruling, on which a decision will be made on May 3, 2005, the statement said.
The Croatian Justice Ministry has sent a direct request to the Bulgarian Justice Ministry urging that Brankovic be placed under temporary arrest pending extradition on the basis of the European Convention on Extradition, which was signed by Croatia and Bulgaria. The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry has been informed of the request through diplomatic channels.
Cedomir Brankovic, 50, was arrested on Monday, April 25, on an international warrant issued by Interpol's office in Zagreb at the request of the County Court in Sisak, which had investigated Brankovic and another 31 suspects. Given that all were at large, the investigation was called off and an international arrest warrant was issued in November 1999.
Brankovic is suspected of attacking 21 villages in the Novska area, about 100 kilometres east of Zagreb, on 17 August 1991 with his battalion and 31 other people. Thirteen people were killed in the attack. He is also suspected of pillaging and blowing up several Catholic churches in the area and destroying numerous houses and economic facilities.