Arrest of ten Bosnian Croats is still the main topic of discussion among Croatian politicians.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said on Friday said Croatian services had no information that ten former members of HVO would be arrested in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), reports Večernji List on November 4, 2016.
Plenković confirmed that there are indications that in the future other arrests could take place, similar to those conducted on Monday. Asked how was it possible that no one knew that the arrest would occur and that Croatian politicians seemed unprepared, he replied: “No, we were not unprepared. However, none of the relevant services had this information. I have investigated that thoroughly”, explained Plenković, adding that the issue was discussed on Wednesday at a meeting with the leaders of all relevant services. “Unfortunately, that was not known, but it happened. We are now in a position to help our citizens by providing necessary legal aid, and also to see how this and similar situations can be prevented in the future”, said the Prime Minister.
He expressed his hope that similar arrests will not happen in the future. “However, everything is possible. There are indications that such situations could be repeated in the future. However, it is up to us to see, in cooperation with the Bosnian side, how we can avoid similar situations, so that all processes related to war crimes and violations of humanitarian law can be resolved”, he said. He also pointed out that none of his statements were intended to put pressure on the BiH judiciary, but were aimed at establishing good cooperation when it comes to prosecuting war crimes.
Plenković said that Croatia was implementing “certain legal actions”, but explained that it was not retribution with similar measures. Journalists asked him whether it was true that Croatia was preparing to file charges against members of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina. “First of all, I think that all crimes should be prosecuted. There are investigations going on which can, if reasonable doubt is proven, become court cases”, explained Plenković. He also pointed out that there should be no selective approach in such cases.
He also confirmed that “in certain documents” the name of current Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević was mentioned, but that he had no more detailed information.
“As Croatian government, we will help all Croatian citizens in the situation in which these people have found themselves. When it comes to details of their defence, we have to harmonize it with their lawyers and of course with the interests of Croatia”, he said.
