ZAGREB, 20 February, 2022 - A Zagreb County Court investigating judge on Saturday evening remanded Darko Horvat, who was relieved of duty as construction minister, in one month's custody on suspicion that, at the urging of four other suspects, he illegally disbursed millions in grants in 2018.
Horvat, who was arrested this morning, was remanded in custody so that he cannot tamper with witnesses, but not due to the risk of repeating the crime since he was relieved of duty at his own request by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.
The USKOK anti-corruption office, at whose request Horvat was remanded in custody, proposed questioning 11 witnesses, including eight employees of the Regional Development and EU Funds Ministry.
Horvat's attorney Vladimir Terešak said after the hearing that his client denied being guilty and that all the decisions he signed were made by his then aide Ana Mandac, another suspect in this case.
More on this story from yesterday:
Minister Horvat Denies Guilt, Anti-Corruption Office Demands Remand in Custody
State Attorney's Office says Won't Comment on PM's Statement After Minister's Arrest
Grbin: Election Only Salvation for Croatia
Čačić: Horvat Has to Go, Reformists' Support Depends on Police Operation's Results
Croatian Prime Minister Blames USKOK for Ruining Croatia's Spectacular Week
PM Calls on Prosecutors to Explain Case Implicating Minister Horvat
Police Probe is Targeting Horvat and Milošević, Aladrović not Implicated
