Leak uncovered in Markač controversy

A man who leaked photos showing Mladen Markač violating terms of his release has resigned from his post.

Izvor: Tanjug

Thursday, 03.01.2008.

11:02

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A man who leaked photos showing Mladen Markac violating terms of his release has resigned from his post. Press officer for the Virovitica municipality, Andjelko Ribic, is the third “victim” of the hunt, after Hague accused Mladen Markac was forced to return to custody after violating the terms of his temporary release, and Interior Minister Ivica Kirin had to resign because of his relationship with Markac. Leak uncovered in Markac controversy Vitrovica Mayor Zvonko Koznjak announced that Ribic has resigned at a press conference. Koznjak "apologized to the former Croatian Army general and his family whom he had had to leave at New Year.” The mayor said that the Vitrovica local authority was not involved in the organization of the hunt, nor did he personally participate. Koznjak also denied media rumors and conspiracy theories regarding a set-up for Kirin or Markac. He added that he “had no idea” that Ribic had sent the pictures to the media. Ribic apologized to the Markac and Kirin families as well as the public, adding that he had sent the pictures to the media without telling the mayor. He said that once he realized the repercussions the picture might have, he sent information that the photographs were over four years old. The hunt, during which 17 wild boars were killed, was organized on December 22 and photos were sent to the media on December 25. The Croatian government and Kirin remained silent for the next two days and denied that Markac had participated in the hunt. The Hague Tribunal asked the government to report on the case on December 27, and two days later called on Markac to be transferred back to custody, after which Kirin resigned. Markac, along with Ante Gotovina and Ivan Cermak, has been indicted for war crimes committed against Serb civilians in Croatia in 1995.

Leak uncovered in Markač controversy

Vitrovica Mayor Zvonko Kožnjak announced that Ribić has resigned at a press conference.

Kožnjak "apologized to the former Croatian Army general and his family whom he had had to leave at New Year.”

The mayor said that the Vitrovica local authority was not involved in the organization of the hunt, nor did he personally participate.

Kožnjak also denied media rumors and conspiracy theories regarding a set-up for Kirin or Markač.

He added that he “had no idea” that Ribić had sent the pictures to the media.

Ribić apologized to the Markač and Kirin families as well as the public, adding that he had sent the pictures to the media without telling the mayor.

He said that once he realized the repercussions the picture might have, he sent information that the photographs were over four years old.

The hunt, during which 17 wild boars were killed, was organized on December 22 and photos were sent to the media on December 25.

The Croatian government and Kirin remained silent for the next two days and denied that Markač had participated in the hunt.

The Hague Tribunal asked the government to report on the case on December 27, and two days later called on Markač to be transferred back to custody, after which Kirin resigned.

Markač, along with Ante Gotovina and Ivan Čermak, has been indicted for war crimes committed against Serb civilians in Croatia in 1995.

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