The chairman of the board of the Janaf oil pipeline operator, Dragan Kovacevic, confirmed on Thursday that Finance Ministry employees were in the company, where they would conduct an audit for two more days, as in other public companies.
Speaking on Croatian Radio, he denied that ministry staffers managed to enter the company only after police had intervened.
Police Directorate spokeswoman Jelena Bikic told the press that ministry employees entered Janaf's premises with two plainclothes police officers.
Ministry employees yesterday came to Janaf to conduct an audit but were prevented from entering, so they notified the police, who today entered the premises with them.
The state-owned company said in a statement that it, as any other company, was subject to inspections, including audits, and that Finance Ministry employees were currently auditing Janaf.
The company denied that it had ever prevented any inspection but said it had requested explanations in order to protect the owners and shareholders.
The statement said that "despite various pressures" Janaf would try to remain one of the most successful companies in Croatia.
