"We are glad to see the man (Purda) finally free. Unfortunately, he had to spend two months in prison due to the criminal negligence of the HDZ government," the leader of the strongest opposition party said.
Asked to comment on yesterday's protest marches in Zagreb when a flag of his party and a flag of the European Union were taken from the SDP main offices and set on fire, Milanovic said that in a situation when many people rallied with no leadership, incidents like the one outside the SDP headquarters were possible.
Peacefully articulated discontent is justified, allowed and in line with the Constitution. When justified protest rallies do not have leaders and clearly articulated aims, anyone can join in and anything can happen, he said, adding that the SDP was not too much worried.
"The flag was set on fire, it's just a misdemeanor, we have a lot of flags," the SDP chief said.
Asked to comment on a statement by Istrian Democratic Party (IDS) parliamentarian Damir Kajin who addressed a protest rally in downtown Zagreb and who said that Milanovic would join them in the coming days, the SDP chief said that presidents and members of major political parties should not attend such rallies and that they should be active in state institutions.
"I believe that Kajin was speaking with the best intentions, but he addressed the rally on his own behalf."