"It is absolutely certain that this wasn't terrorism but an accident, and that at the time of the explosion only the life of my client was in danger," Rovisan's attorney Ilija Ivanic told reporters after his client was interviewed for an hour by Judge Renata Milicevic.
Ivanic said the bomb fell out of Rovisan's hand as he was trying to tighten the bomb fuse, which had "loosened up", with a plastic band.
Rovisan carried the bomb with him all the time, afraid of persons with whom he was in a physical fight four years ago, when he worked as a bouncer in a Zagreb casino. These persons, whom Ivanic did not name, are currently being tried at the Zagreb Municipal Court for gravely injuring Rovisan.
Ivanic said his client was afraid because he was being pressured to change his statement in the case in favour of the accused.
According to some media, the unnamed persons are Novica Petrac and Sinisa Soso. They allegedly beat up Rovisan before the entrance to the casino in the hotel Esplanade in 2001.
The prosecutor's office has charged Rovisan with endangering life and property, and with illegal possession of explosive materials.
It has been requested that he be placed in detention, but the investigating judge has still not decided about that.