ZAGREB, 4 March, 2021 - Member of Parliament Arsen Bauk of the Social Democratic Party protested on Thursday in the parliament against the "flagrant and rude" violation of epidemiological measures at the funeral of the late Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandić, which was attended by an estimate of one thousand people.

Bauk entered parliament without a mask, which is not permitted and which was remarked on by Deputy Speaker Ante Sanader (HDZ).

SDP's MP explained why he took his mask off.

"I violated Article 293b of the Rules of Procedure because I took off my mask. I did so in protest at the flagrant and rude violation of measures at Mirogoj on Wednesday, sponsored by the national and local COVID-19 crisis management teams," Bauk said.

He asked Sanader to issue him with a warning so that "at least someone would be penalised" for yesterday's violation of epidemiological measures.

"I won't issue you with a warning for yesterday, but I will for what you did today, you violated the Rules of Procedures," Sanader responded.

ZAGREB, June 28, 2020 - Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic on Sunday commented on the arrest of a man who refused to wear a mask in public transport, saying he did not know what motivated a person to do that and that it was not pleasant to watch a video of the arrest.

He was commenting for N1 television on yesterday's arrest at Zagreb's Central Station and the video of it which has been released in the media.

"The passenger refused to put the mask on and we have said that when (a passenger) doesn't wear a mask, the driver must not start the vehicle. Naturally, it wasn't pleasant to watch that. However, I really don't know what motivates a man, who has a mask, not to want to wear it."

Bozinovic said the man was reported for disturbing the peace but that it was necessary to see what had led to that situation.

The N1 reporter noted that experts were not unanimous about wearing masks, to which Bozinovic replied that the World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control had changed recommendations and standards as they learned more about COVID-19.

Commenting on accusations that the COVID-19 crisis management team, which he heads, has been politicised, Bozinovic said others were politicising it. "I don't know, I can guess their reasons, probably the success the team has had from day one. That bothers them."

Asked if it was politicisation when he addressed the public at 2 p.m. as head of the team and at 3 p.m. as an election candidate, Bozinovic said campaigning was underway, that some members on the team were election candidates but that all had their responsibilities.

"In the campaign, everyone must also do their job. Of course, we won't use that and I'm not sure why that would be seen as benefitting from this situation."

Asked if he was scared of calling on people to vote in the election and inviting them to rallies because of the spread of COVID-19, he said that prior to the campaign the Croatian Institute of Public Health(HZJZ), in agreement with the Electoral Commission (DIP), made recommendations on how to behave in any phase prior to the election, including during campaigns.

Bozinovic said his HDZ party was complying with that, and that he did not think the turnout would be lower.

He said that on Monday the HZJZ and the DIP would say how those in self-isolation would vote and issue instructions for holding the election.

He said there were sick people during every election and that the 2,000 people currently self-isolating were not sick, only in self-isolation. "If it is stipulated that certain categories of voters should wear protective masks, or face masks, that will be ensured."