Ex-Croatian PM used money to control media

Former Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader used part of illegally obtained money to “control the media”, Zagreb-based daily Vecernji list reports. More than EUR 700,000 was paid to the local media, Osijek TV and Zadar-based weekly Hrvatski list, the daily writes. Ex-Croatian PM used money to control media It also points out that Sanader, in agreement with Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandic, provided 50-percent share of Z1 TV management rights to the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). Former Customs Chief and HDZ official Mladen Barisic, who used to be a good friend of Sanader, claims that the main operative in control of the media was former HDZ and Croatian government Spokesman Ratko Macek, the daily wrote. Barisic claims that under direct order from Sanader he gave cash to Macek twice so he could solve the issue of the local media. Macek told Vecernji list that Barisic was lying and that he had had absolutely nothing to do with Osijek TV and that his only connection to weekly Hrvatski list was the fact that he had put a lawyer in touch with daily’s editor Ivica Marijacic when the daily had been up for sale. According to Barisic, the former Croatian PM paid off Osijek TV’s debts worth EUR 300,000. Criminal charges were anonymously filed against Sanader and Barisic in October, accusing them of providing HRK 1,5mn (about EUR 200,000) to Osijek TV for purchase of equipment which had been imported without paying customs duties. According to the complaint, Barisic violated customs regulations while Sanader gave the orders. Ivo Sanader (Vecernji list)

Ex-Croatian PM used money to control media

It also points out that Sanader, in agreement with Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandić, provided 50-percent share of Z1 TV management rights to the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ).

Former Customs Chief and HDZ official Mladen Barišić, who used to be a good friend of Sanader, claims that the main operative in control of the media was former HDZ and Croatian government Spokesman Ratko Maček, the daily wrote.

Barišić claims that under direct order from Sanader he gave cash to Maček twice so he could solve the issue of the local media.

Maček told Večernji list that Barišić was lying and that he had had absolutely nothing to do with Osijek TV and that his only connection to weekly Hrvatski list was the fact that he had put a lawyer in touch with daily’s editor Ivica Marijačić when the daily had been up for sale.

According to Barišić, the former Croatian PM paid off Osijek TV’s debts worth EUR 300,000.

Criminal charges were anonymously filed against Sanader and Barišić in October, accusing them of providing HRK 1,5mn (about EUR 200,000) to Osijek TV for purchase of equipment which had been imported without paying customs duties.

According to the complaint, Barišić violated customs regulations while Sanader gave the orders.