Warrant issued for Todorić’s arrest, Prodanović has no comment for now

The founder of the Agrokor concern, Ivica Todorić became a fugitive after 3 pm. On the basis of an order by the Zagreb County Court, the State Attorney’s Office has issued an international warrant for the prime suspect in the Agrokor case.

"The Zagreb County State Attorney’s Office, taking action within its jurisdiction as we have already told you and following an order by the Zagreb County Court on investigative custody for the first accused Croatian citizen, in accordance with article 566 of the Criminal Code, has issued a warrant against the first accused. Further action regarding the warrant is being conducted by police in accordance with legal regulations," said State Attorney Office Spokesperson Martina Mihordin.

Following the issuing of the warrant, Croatian Radio Television asked Ivica Todorić’s lawyer, Čedo Prodanović for a statement. He said that he has no comment on the warrant for now. His client has thus become a fugitive.

Police have not yet received the warrant from the State Attorney’s Office. Once received, it will be forwarded to the Schengen Information System, which means that it will then have the force of a European arrest warrant.

The most wanted man in Croatia is not in the country. It is unclear if Todorić is even in the UK as suspected. Speculation says that he is in London, however, there has been no confirmation of the information. If he is hiding in London, the UK will have 60 days for his extradition. Since Todorić claims that he is the victim of a political persecution, the extradition process could be complicated.

In the meantime, the Zagreb County Court has blocked all of Ivica Todorić’s assets. This satisfied a request from the State Attorney in order to guarantee reparation of damages once the court process is finally completed. The block includes the 55000 square metre Kulmerove Dvore manor where Todorić is registered as a one-quarter owner.

The State Attorney’s Office has allegedly also earmarked his property in Kloštar-Ivanić, Čazma and Kutina.

Ante Todorić, who testified at the County State Attorney’s Office yesterday, is still in Zagreb.

A decision by a county court council is pending after the prosecution filed an appeal when investigative custody was refused for 14 other suspects, including Ante Todorić. According to certain information, the decision could be known by the middle of next week. Investigative custody was only ordered for Ivica Todorić to prevent him from influencing witnesses. All of the suspects are accused of numerous fraudulent crimes including abuse of business trust, counterfeiting, and violations in book-keeping and accounting practice.

Source: HRT