Ex-Croat PM denies money laundering

Former Croatian PM Ivo Sanader denied on Thursday money laundering charges, in connection to which he was being held. Sanader has been detained in Salzburg, Austria, and was questioned by Austrian anti-corruption prosecutors. Ex-Croat PM denies money laundering Sanader denied the money laundry charge, Prosecutor's Office Spokesperson Friedrich Koenig told the Austrian news agency APA, adding that the Austrian Prosecutor's office for fight against corruption did not submit a request for Sanader's remand on Thursday. Sanader cooperated and replied to all questions, Koenig said. During a one-hour interrogation via video link, the former Croatian prime minister said that the money in question had come from legal sources. In the presence of his attorney, the former prime minister requested that a new hearing should be scheduled for January, so that he would have more time to prepare, Koenig said and pointed out that the Prosecutor's Office decided to grant the request. The date of the January hearing has not been established yet, and representatives of investigative bodies may decide to travel to Salzburg, where Sanader is being held in an extradition prison. This is the second time the Austrian authorities have interrogated Sanader since his arrest on December 10. The Carinthian Parliament Investigating Committee questioned Sanader on Wednesday about the Hypo Bank affair, and on Thursday he was interrogated by the Vienna State Prosecutor's Office regarding money laundering charges, adhering to a report by a Tyrol bank in which Sanader has an account. The Salzburg court officials believe that Sanader's pre-extradition detention is highly likely to be extended. Non-extradition would be possible only if the court reached a conclusion that Sanader is charged with political rather than criminal acts, which has not been mentioned so far. A file photo of Ivo Sanader (Tanjug)

Ex-Croat PM denies money laundering

Sanader denied the money laundry charge, Prosecutor's Office Spokesperson Friedrich Koenig told the Austrian news agency APA, adding that the Austrian Prosecutor's office for fight against corruption did not submit a request for Sanader's remand on Thursday.

Sanader cooperated and replied to all questions, Koenig said.

During a one-hour interrogation via video link, the former Croatian prime minister said that the money in question had come from legal sources.

In the presence of his attorney, the former prime minister requested that a new hearing should be scheduled for January, so that he would have more time to prepare, Koenig said and pointed out that the Prosecutor's Office decided to grant the request.

The date of the January hearing has not been established yet, and representatives of investigative bodies may decide to travel to Salzburg, where Sanader is being held in an extradition prison.

This is the second time the Austrian authorities have interrogated Sanader since his arrest on December 10.

The Carinthian Parliament Investigating Committee questioned Sanader on Wednesday about the Hypo Bank affair, and on Thursday he was interrogated by the Vienna State Prosecutor's Office regarding money laundering charges, adhering to a report by a Tyrol bank in which Sanader has an account.

The Salzburg court officials believe that Sanader's pre-extradition detention is highly likely to be extended.

Non-extradition would be possible only if the court reached a conclusion that Sanader is charged with political rather than criminal acts, which has not been mentioned so far.