"We are still in consultations with the European Commission because of an interpretation that we should have announced such a restriction in negotiations on the judiciary chapter and that we can't consume it now," Miljenic said, adding that before the vote on the amendments it would be known if the provision could be incorporated into the law.
The law on the enforcement of the European arrest warrant elicited a lot of public and media attention recently because of accusations that the amendments refer to former secret service chief Josip Perkovic.
Miljenic said the working group that worked on the amendments recommended 7 August 2002 as the time limit because Croatia was entering a new system on July 1 and expected nearly 100 requests since that time alone. He added the group was guided by the experience of five EU countries which incorporated a time limit in their legislation.
"The law wasn't written with regard to anyone and doesn't go into any case. We didn't and won't do that."
The MPs of the strongest opposition party, the HDZ, walked out of the discussion in protest, saying they did not want to give parliament legitimacy to pass laws that protect criminals who should have been brought to justice long ago.