The Ministry said it issued the statement in the wake of frequent media articles and reproaches referred to the Ministry in connection with those investigations.
The statement, signed by Ministry spokesman Zlatko Mehun, said the aim of statements by individuals and media allegations regarding the investigations was to belittle the lawful and professional work of the police, notably Osijek County Police chief Vladimir Faber.
That damages the reputation of the police and the entire Ministry and has prompted Faber to respond to the accusations and defamation he is subjected to by one person who has been accused in said war crimes case, the statement said, alluding to independent member of parliament Branimir Glavas.
The Ministry maintains that contrary to some Croatian media's recent allegations, Faber is in no personal conflict with a state institution or individuals, the statement said.
Cooperation with the State Prosecutor's Office and other bodies of authority in said war crimes investigation was very good, the Ministry said, adding that claims that Faber was in conflict with the suspect reflected an attempt by some media to pressure the Ministry, including Interior Minister Ivica Kirin, into making certain personnel changes in the Osijek County Police Department.
The statement added that under the police law, the interior minister appointed and relieved police department chiefs of duty at the proposal of the police director.