Austrian court turns down Sanader appeal

The High Regional Court in the Austrian city of Linz has turned down the appeal against a previous decision to keep Ivo Sander in jail. This means that the former Croatian prime minister and leader of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) will have to remain in prison until March 18. Austrian court turns down Sanader appeal Quoting some Austrian media reports, Croatian electronic media are saying today that Sanader's appeal, where he requested to be released from prison during the trial, has been turned down due to fear that Sanader might flee the country. "Sanader is being tried on extremely grave charges and the court believes that the urge to flee is very intense, which is why the detention sentence cannot be replaced by a milder form of control," spokesperson of the Salzburg Prosecutor's Office Marcus Neher was quoted as saying. On February 3, Sanader will be questioned again with regard to money laundering charges Croatia filed against him and, as Neher said, the former Croatian prime minister has the right to make one more appeal. Sanader has been in detention in Austria ever since he was arrested on December 10 on a warrant issued by Croatia on suspicion that he was involved in corruption. Although he announced that he will surrender to Croatian authorities, Sanader refused to be extradited to Croatia. In the meantime, Austria launched an investigation against him in relation to charges of money laundering in an Austrian bank.

Austrian court turns down Sanader appeal

Quoting some Austrian media reports, Croatian electronic media are saying today that Sanader's appeal, where he requested to be released from prison during the trial, has been turned down due to fear that Sanader might flee the country.

"Sanader is being tried on extremely grave charges and the court believes that the urge to flee is very intense, which is why the detention sentence cannot be replaced by a milder form of control," spokesperson of the Salzburg Prosecutor's Office Marcus Neher was quoted as saying.

On February 3, Sanader will be questioned again with regard to money laundering charges Croatia filed against him and, as Neher said, the former Croatian prime minister has the right to make one more appeal.

Sanader has been in detention in Austria ever since he was arrested on December 10 on a warrant issued by Croatia on suspicion that he was involved in corruption.

Although he announced that he will surrender to Croatian authorities, Sanader refused to be extradited to Croatia. In the meantime, Austria launched an investigation against him in relation to charges of money laundering in an Austrian bank.