Croatian Interior Minister Tomislav Karamarko said on Wednesday he did not plan on resigning over the police handling of a recent protest in Varsavska Street in downtown Zagreb.
"I'm not a person who is insensitive to his own responsibility. On the contrary, when there are reasons, resignations should be handed in. However, in this specific case the police acted in accordance with the law," Karamarko told reporters.
He reiterated that the police have assisted a public administration body.
Last week police detained over 150 activists and citizens for putting up passive resistance to the continuation of construction works in Varsavska Street.
Demonstrators protested against the construction of an entrance ramp to an underground car park and the cutting of trees in the street.
Police blocked the entry to Varsavska from Gunduliceva as well as traffic in Gunduliceva. Protesters and citizens found themselves in the blockade.
Police said then they were assisting the city office for physical planning in securing the start of reconstruction works in a part of Varsavska Street, adding that assistance had been requested by the state body in charge given expectations that there would be resistance.
Karamarko reiterated today that the police conduct was professional, stressing that nobody was hurt.
The minister stressed the police were distanced from politics.
