Strong Croatian-Serbian Police Co-operation

Expecting resistance, the arrests were performed by special police unit members. Two arrested men were injured, as well as two officers.

ZAGREB, CROATIA –

- Due to the face that exceptionally dangerous members of the crime scene are in question, who have been charged with numerous crimes previously, and expecting resistance upon arrest, the task was performed by members of the Croatian Interior Ministry special police unit members – Krunoslav Borovec of the police directorate announced at the first press conference after the arrests concerning the murder of Nacional weekly co-founder Ivo Pukanic and the paper`s marketing director Niko Franjic.

He explained that upon the arrest, force was used with three arrested men and two of them sustained injuries. They were given medical assistance and it was determined that serious injuries were not in question. Two police officers were also injured.

- The police violently raided several apartments, but there was no use of weapons – Borovec said.

Apart from intense co-operation with police departments of neighbouring countries, especially Serbia, Borovec announced today`s meeting of Bosnian Serb entity of Republika Srpska police director Milorad Veljevic and Croatian police director Vladimir Faber.

Some ten apartments, houses and weekend houses will be examined today as continuation of the crime investigation, Borovec added, along with seven cars. Court orders have already been issued out.

- We still expect the citizens to contact us if they have information as to whom the persons from the video and the photo fit are. Since the recording was released, we have had 20 reports. Once we undoubtedly determine that someone from the arrested men is on the footage, we will notify the citizens – Borovec said, adding the searches of apartments will help in the pursuit of evidence which would link the arrested men with the murder of Ivo Pukanic and Niko Franjic.

Police still not revealing the identity of arrested men

Even though the names of arrested men were revealed to the press by unofficial sources, Borovec still did not wish to confirm their identity.

- The media speculate too much on everything and it is not in our interest to give away details until the investigation is over and we have reasonable doubt based on which we will file charges. I don`t want to reveal anyone`s names, or speak about the relationship between the arrested men and the police – Borovec answered when asked if it was true that Robert Matanic decided to co-operate with the investigators, i.e. if the person who ordered the assassination was among the arrested.

Also, reporters asked Borovec is the arrested men were linked with other murders which occurred in Zagreb lately, but the Police commissioner said that the current investigation was focused on the murders of Pukanic and Franjic. Will there be relations to other murders, it will be revealed later on.

The Croatian police have arrested 10 persons in this operation, 8 of which are Croatian citizens and 2 are Serbian citizens.