Polancec says will ask for postponement of sentence

Former Deputy Prime Minister Damir Polancec told Hina on Tuesday evening he had collected the decision on serving a 10-month prison sentence under which he was to start serving his term on 13 August, announcing however that he would request a postponement of his going to prison due to his deteriorated health.

In mid-October 2010, the Zagreb County Court sentenced Polancec to 15 months' imprisonment, finding his guilty of abuse of office and making it possible for Vukovar lawyer Petar Miletic to make considerable illegal gain by paying him HRK 500,000 for an unnecessary expert study.

The Supreme Court reduced Polancec's sentence by five months. The Supreme Court also reduced the lawyer's 12-month prison term to eight months, and the two should pay back this amount into the state budget.

I can confirmed that I collected the decision on serving my sentence yesterday (Monday), but my lawyer will ask the court to postpone my going to prison, Polancec told Hina.

Polancec and several other defendants are standing trial for allegations that they defrauded the Koprivinica-based Podravka food company of HRK 400 million. (Hina)