Bebic told Croatian Radio it was interesting that some facts that had been known for the past 20 years were now being portrayed as accusations against Seks.

He recalled that at the time Seks was the head of the crisis management committee in eastern Slavonia, he (Bebic) was the head of the crisis management committee for southern Dalmatia, which is why he was familiar with the powers and the rights of a crisis staff commander and what the situation was like at the time.

Bebic said he could not accept that those who were the aggressors at that time today set the criteria for what is legal and what isn't, adding that the decision on this must be made by the rule of law.

Bebic said that the work of parliament last year remained in the shadow of judicial proceedings against some MPs, such as ex-prime minister Ivo Sanader and former defence minister Berislav Roncevic. The speaker said that similar proceedings were held in other countries as well, which is why these several exceptions should not be blown out of proportion.

The parliament chief said he did not believe that Sanader escaped, stressing that he was on a business trip in Austria when he was arrested. He reiterated that Croatia must function as a law-based state.

The speaker also said that parliament will convene next week for this year's regular session, adding that amendments to the electoral legislation would be on the agenda.

He stressed the amendments needed to be adopted as soon as possible so that they could be applied during the next elections, which he expected to take place within the regular deadline, namely that the polls would not be early.