ZAGREB, June 9 (Hina) - The trial of Nevenka Tudjman, daughter of the first Croatian president Franjo Tudjman, on charges of corruption started at the Zagreb County Court on Monday. Tudjman is accused of having illegally acquired
around 230,000 euros by using her influence to arrange business deals while her father was in power.
ZAGREB, June 9 (Hina) - The trial of Nevenka Tudjman, daughter of
the first Croatian president Franjo Tudjman, on charges of
corruption started at the Zagreb County Court on Monday.
Tudjman is accused of having illegally acquired around 230,000
euros by using her influence to arrange business deals while her
father was in power. #L#
Tudjman, as the principal indictee, pleaded not guilty, while her
former business partner, indictee Igor Knezevic, pleaded guilty to
the charges. Knezevic had pleaded guilty during investigation
proceedings, when he described in detail how he paid Tudjman
commission worth 15% of the value of business deals which she had
allegedly helped him win.
Tudjman is charged with having used her social position to help
Knezevic win contracts to install switchboards in a dozen
faculties, institutes and public institutions. Knezevic allegedly
earned several million kuna from the deals, while Tudjman acquired
some 230,000 euros in commission.
Knezevic is charged with tax evasion as well as abuse of office of
state authorities as in 1996 Tudjman helped him get appointed at the
Science and Technology Ministry, without the necessary
qualifications, as chief person in charge of tenders for the
installing of switchboards.
(hina) rml sb