ZAGREB, September 18, 2020 – Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Friday that the latest arrests in the Janaf graft affair were proof of the government’s active policy of zero tolerance to corruption, regardless of names and surnames, position or party.
“It is this government’s policy, my own personally and that of the HDZ, that our independent judicial bodies, the State Prosecutor’s Office, USKOK, PNUSKOK and the police are independent, unbiased in their work. No one tells them what to do or not to do. That is the fundamental principle of our functioning,” Plenkovic told reporters after a meeting with county prefects and mayors.
There is no “magic box”, DORH and police have to do their job
It is important that everyone understands that there is no “magic box” which can help someone know what someone else is doing, he said and added that the only way, if suspicion of corruption is justified, for the State Prosecutor’s office (DORH) and the police to do their job.
“This is the best proof of the active policy of zero tolerance to corruption. Regardless of someone’s name and surname, position and party. There is no other way, that is the only proper way. And cases like these will act as a deterrent, that is the whole point There can never be any fatigue in the fight against corruption,” underscored the prime minister.
If someone is proven guilty in legal proceedings, we expect them to answer for that, Plenkovic said and claimed that regardless of HDZ MP Drazen Barisic being arrested, the government and the parliamentary majority are stable.
Asked how was it possible for Pozega mayor Darko Puljasic to end up on HDZ’s slate, even though he was indicted in January, and was stripped of parliamentary immunity yesterday, Plenkovic claimed that this was not a problem.
“That is not a problem because everything that is related to him is not related to his seat in parliament. In this case his immunity was stripped only because he became a member of parliament. As I understand it, he is looking forward to a trial so he can prove that the charges against him are not true,” said Plenkovic.
Asked whether mayors that have been indicted should resign, Plenkovic said there was no need if they have only been charged.
“If it is proven, or if they cannot to conduct their duties, then there are deputies to replace them so that the city can function,” he said.
Elektrocentar Petek is not a large HDZ donor
Plenkovic denied allegations that Elektrocentar Petek, a company connected to Thursday’s arrest, was a large donor to the HDZ.
“Not really. First of all, I have never heard of that company and as far as I have seen, during my term as HDZ leader, the company donated HRK 10,000 four years ago, and I checked, (Kreso Petek) isn’t even a member of the HDZ,” claimed Plenkovic.
He also dismissed speculation that the arrested Janaf CEO Dragan Kovacevic was supposed to have been replaced a year ago, and said such stories are now being made up for the sake of blackmail.
We live in a world of rumours. I’ve read some of the ridiculous theories by some MPs, caucuses, particularly those from the Homeland Movement and Bridge, two parties that ran in the parliamentary election so they could have the ability to blackmail, as that was the only reach of their platforms and stances, said Plenkovic.
They have turned into “frustrated blackmailers who are coming up with theories that the prime minister knew something or that someone told him something,” added Plenkovic.
“All those things need to be removed, the police and DORH are doing their job independently, and they do these things secretly. If something is secret, then it is not public, then only the people dealing with that are in the know and no one else, not even the prime minister,” he underscored.
Replacement of Kovacevic will be looked into
Asked whether he would replace Janaf CEO Kovacevic, Pleknovic said that he would look into the entire situation because Janaf is listed on the stock exchange and the state is not its only owner.
Asked whether a system to vet people who are to take up management positions exists, Plenkovic said there was no such system. “There is no way to notice something like this, that is simply impossible,” he said.
As far as information leaks are concerned with regard to yesterday’s arrests, Plenkovic said that the leaks need to be identified.
“There are three possibilities – the police, DORH or the court. Let them speak up, that would also be in the interest of their credibility,” he concluded.
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