ZAGREB, Dec 4 (Hina) - The ministries of justice and the interior confirmed on Monday an investigation was underway into a so-called partnership agreement under which four prominent public figures attempted to gain full control over
the Croatian media. "I confirm that a police investigation and some preliminary enquiries into the partnership agreement case are underway," Justice Minister Stjepan Ivanisevic told a news conference. He said the investigation had been launched owing to founded suspicion that "the intent of the signatories to that agreement was to dominate the field of electronic and printed media." The news conference came in the wake of a front page article in Republika, a new national daily paper, alleging in today's first issue the police had launched an extensive investigation into "the biggest criminal organisation" which had been ruling Croatia for years and compri
ZAGREB, Dec 4 (Hina) - The ministries of justice and the interior
confirmed on Monday an investigation was underway into a so-called
partnership agreement under which four prominent public figures
attempted to gain full control over the Croatian media.
"I confirm that a police investigation and some preliminary
enquiries into the partnership agreement case are underway,"
Justice Minister Stjepan Ivanisevic told a news conference.
He said the investigation had been launched owing to founded
suspicion that "the intent of the signatories to that agreement was
to dominate the field of electronic and printed media."
The news conference came in the wake of a front page article in
Republika, a new national daily paper, alleging in today's first
issue the police had launched an extensive investigation into "the
biggest criminal organisation" which had been ruling Croatia for
years and comprised Ninoslav Pavic, Vinko Grubisic, Ivic Pasalic,
and Miroslav Kutle.
The daily also published a copy of the confidential partnership
agreement.
"According to our knowledge, the documents whose copies have been
published meet a very high degree of authenticity, but the final
decision rests with the court," said Ivanisevic, stressing it was
in the interest of the investigation to withhold details on the
case.
The justice minister distanced himself from allegations in
Republika about a "criminal organisation" and a "gang of four",
stating that such descriptions could be made only by a competent
judicial body.
Ivanisevic further said "somebody should finally be held
accountable for the leaking of confidential data to the media."
Interior Ministry spokesman Slavko Rako also confirmed a criminal
procedure was underway, but added the police would not disclose any
details for the duration of the investigation.
The Interior Ministry will notify the competent state prosecutor's
office about the results of the investigation, he said.
Zagreb police spokesman Goran Volarevic confirmed anonymous
threats had been made to Republika's editors yesterday.
"The police have taken all legally-prescribed steps and thus far
all threats have proved to be false," he said.
Miroslav Kutle is in custody and is under investigation on charges
of having damaged, with 12 accessories, the largest national press
distributor Tisak for some 47 million kuna ($5.25 million).
(hina) ha