Rakar was supposed to be one of the advisors to President Ivo Josipovic, but Josipovic said Rakar would not be working at his office because he owed the government more than HRK 1 million in taxes.

Spokesman for the Interior Ministry Krunoslav Borovec confirmed to Hina Rakar was officially arrested this afternoon in connection to the publication of the register, adding that the suspect was still being questioned by the police. He declined to reveal any other detail, except that Rakar had come to the police on his own and that the police were interviewing all those to whom the veterans register was available.

Rakar's attorney, Maro Mihocevic, confirmed his client had been arrested but declined to reveal other details.

The media reported earlier that Rakar walked in of his own accord to a police station to remove all suspicion that he was behind the Internet leakage of the veterans register. The media also cited Rakar as saying that he was being framed. Rakar said he decided to go to the police after seeing his name on Internet forums. He also said he found out that the register was published after seeing last night's prime time news on Croatian Television.

The controversial list was leaked on Tuesday evening when an anonymous website www.registarbranitelja.com was set up containing a search engine whereby war veterans can be found by name, identification number and details about their units.

The anonymous creators of the website said the register was incomplete, adding that the website was set up in public interest. They also said that by publishing the register they "are relieving the burden on the government", which, as they said, was expected to make the register public anyway.