Croatian general "jewel thief" facing extradition

Retired Croatian General Vladimir Zagorec, arrested on Friday in Vienna, will be extradited to Croatia next week. "Once an agreement between Austrian and Croatian judicial bodies has been reached on the means of Zagorec’s extradition, it will take place very quickly, as early as next week,” Austrian Justice Ministry spokesman Thomas Geiblinger told Croatian news agency Hina. Croatian general "jewel thief" facing extradition Zagorec is suspected of stealing diamonds worth USD 5mn during the wars of the 1990s. After three Austrian court instances ruled that Zagorec was eligible for extradition to Croatia, the decision was confirmed by Austrian Justice Minister Maria Berger. Croatian authorities believe that Zagorec, while leaving the post of deputy defense minister in 2000, stole jewels given to him by a German arms salesman in 1993 as a downpayment for USD 5mn intended for the purchase of weaponry during the conflicts in the 1990s. Croatia issued an international warrant and sought his extradition in March 2007, after Zagorec, who has been residing in Vienna since 2000, failed to appear at a preliminary hearing in Zagreb. Vladimir Zagorec (FoNet, archive)

Croatian general "jewel thief" facing extradition

Zagorec is suspected of stealing diamonds worth USD 5mn during the wars of the 1990s.

After three Austrian court instances ruled that Zagorec was eligible for extradition to Croatia, the decision was confirmed by Austrian Justice Minister Maria Berger.

Croatian authorities believe that Zagorec, while leaving the post of deputy defense minister in 2000, stole jewels given to him by a German arms salesman in 1993 as a downpayment for USD 5mn intended for the purchase of weaponry during the conflicts in the 1990s.

Croatia issued an international warrant and sought his extradition in March 2007, after Zagorec, who has been residing in Vienna since 2000, failed to appear at a preliminary hearing in Zagreb.