Znaor, who is charged with abuse of office and malfeasance, said that his company, which used to be a successful firm with 300 workers, had been deliberately ruined after the previous coalition government, led by the Social Democratic Party (SDP), came to power in 2000 and annulled a bid for the purchase of fire-fighting vehicles.
At the time, Tehnomehanika, which has its headquarters in the northern town of Marija Bistrica, was preparing for the production of such vehicles.
The purchase of fire-fighting vehicles through a direct deal between Daimler's Debis and the Ozalj-based IM Metal led to the collapse of Tehnomehanika, the defendant said.
"We are not all equal before the law," he said accusing the county prosecutors of bias.
Znaor said that he had been given a suspended sentence for failure to pay taxes and contributions, although he had paid them two years before the indictment was issued.
"I have therefore filed my application with the European Court of Human Rights," he said, adding that he had been unfairly placed in custody for 14 months ten years ago.