Leaving Remetinec prison, where Sanader was interrogated for the third time by investigators of the Office for the Suppression of Corruption and Organised Crime (USKOK), his lawyer Cedo Prodanovic told the press that Sanader denied all the accusations and that he would not answer questions this time either.

However, Sanader pointed to the absurdity of bringing into question the INA-MOL agreement, although MOL had a higher stake in INA than the Croatian government.

"It is a known fact that the one who has more shares has greater management rights. Therefore, the premise of the incrimination is wrong. It's absolutely normal that the one with more shares has more members on the management and supervisory boards," Prodanovic said, adding that Sanader denied any links to bribery or talks about it, as there had been no reason for that.

Prodanovic said the entire investigation, the last one in a series into the former PM, was launched following a testimony by Robert Jezic, owner of the DIOKI company, who accused Sanader to secure a better position in the proceedings launched against himself.

The attorney said there was no other physical evidence against Sanader in the file. "Perhaps it exists somewhere in the prosecution's imagination or they won't disclose it. But as far as I know, such evidence can't exist."

Asked if he saw the INA-MOL case file, Prodanovic said he did not, but added that during today's interrogation the prosecution did not refer to any money trail.

"From the talks with Sanader I know that something like that can't be. In the end, you saw MOL's official denial, and the basic argument was that kickbacks were paid into Mr Jezic's account from companies on Cyprus, companies owned by MOL. MOL denied that those were its companies. I haven't heard the prosecution bring this information into question. So, one hasn't started with the right information," said Prodanovic.

Asked how Sanader felt during the deposition, he said Sanader was "very coherent and in control", like last year before the parliamentary commission.

Prodanovic recalled that former Deputy PM Damir Polancec too said that "not only the government members (were acquainted with the agreement), but the coalition partners too, the president of the republic and, before the decision was made, by the inner cabinet."

Prodanovic stressed, however, that Sanader did not accuse anyone.

Asked about Sanader's health, the attorney said he still received treatment for his leg, which "is getting better," but that otherwise he was fine.

Prodanovic said they had still not considered filing a motion for release on bail and that they expected a new interrogation in a few days.