Justice Minister Drazen Bosnjakovic presented in parliament on Thursday a new draft penal code, saying it was extremely important, as it modernised criminal legislation and introduced many novelties, especially with regard to economic crimes.
Under the bill, non-payment of salaries for unjustified reasons would be a crime carrying a prison sentence of up to three years, Bosnjakovic said, adding that non-payment of a part of a salary would also constitute a crime.
The same applies to non-payment of benefits, he said.
Statutes of limitations for the gravest crimes would be extended from 30 to 40 years.
The novelties also refer to punishment for mobbing and domestic violence. Punishment would also harsher for bribery, which would no longer carry a prison sentence ranging from six months to five years but from one to eight years.
Reckless driving would be a new crime, possession of narcotics would remain a crime, and the use of doping in sports would also constitute a crime.
The harshest sentence for especially heinous crimes would be raised from 40 to 50 years' imprisonment.
Bosnjakovic said he was very pleased with the public debate on the new penal code which had lasted since 2009, adding that a new code was necessary because the existing one had been amended 12 times.
The new penal code would go into force on 1 January 2013. It was discussed today only by the ruling HDZ party, which endorsed it. The opposition is boycotting parliament's session.
