The head of the Customs Administration and former treasurer of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party, Mladen Barisic, who was arrested in Zagreb on Wednesday morning, is charged with conspiracy to commit crime, illegal brokerage and encouraging others to abuse office in the Fimi Media case, Barisic's attorney said on Wednesday afternoon.
Lawyer Ante Madunic said his client was arrested at 7 AM after which the police searched his home and office in the Customs Administration in downtown Zagreb.
Within 12 hours, namely by 19.00 hours, the police must bring Barisic before the anti-corruption agency USKOK.
Madunic said that his 62-year old client is charged with three crimes, but added that he could not discuss the case in detail as this case was under USKOK's jurisdiction and he was bound by secrecy.
USKOK launched an investigation into Barisic in May, but he was not arrested at the time.
The media speculate that USKOK wishes to clarify the reason for a meeting held in the government headquarters on 7 April 2007, which was also attended by former Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and at which it was allegedly suggested to the directors of some 15 public companies to do business with the Fimi Media company, owned by Barisic's friend Nevenka Jurak, who has been in police custody since early August on suspicion of illegally making at least HRK 16.5 million.
For several months now the media have been linking Barisic with an alleged slush fund in the HDZ that was filled with money Fimi Media obtained from deals with public companies.
It is believed that Barisic, following orders from Sanader, acted as a link between Jurak and executives of public companies, some of whom entered business deals with that market advertising agency.
When the Fimi Media scandal broke out in January this year, the HDZ presidency relieved Barisic of duty as party treasurer and head of the party's marketing committee, with party president Jadranka Kosor saying that Barisic had not been performing his duty since she arrived at the helm of the party. Kosor also dismissed speculation that Barisic was relieved because of his friendship with Sanader.
Two days later, Kosor was asked in parliament if Barisic would be relieved as head of the Customs Administration. She said the government would react if it learns that any state official is not doing their job.
Chief State Prosecutor Mladen Bajic and Interior Minister Tomislav Karamarko declined to comment on Barisic's arrest, underlining that they could not speak about ongoing cases.
