Dabro arrested on weapons charges after Sabor strips him of immunity

Croatian lawmakers voted Wednesday to strip Homeland Movement MP Josip Dabro of parliamentary immunity, clearing the way for his arrest on weapons charges.

Namely, Dabro recently resigned as minister of agriculture over video footage of him firing a gun from a moving car. Now, he faces charges of illegal weapons possession and violating the rights of a child after another video showed him wielding an automatic rifle, which is illegal in Croatia, and handing it to a minor.

Among the 107 MPs who voted in favor of the motion, were several MPs from Dabro's own Homeland Movement party. Here is Stipo Mlinarić.

"Today, we showed the Croatian public that the Homeland Movement is not cowardly or a party that can be taken down easily. We showed that we are not a party that violates the Constitution or tries to sway the judiciary," said Homeland Movement PM Stipo Mlinarić.

In order for the criminal case to proceed, MPs also voted to clear the way for Dabro's arrest and remand to investigative custody.

Asked whether he would continue to support the governing coalition, Dabro would not say.

"We'll see what happens. I don't want to prejudge. Why would I get ahead of myself? I don't want to say yes or no. The Homeland Movement is united. If our policies will not be implemented, then there is no majority,” Dabro told reporters.

Since Dabro refuses to give up his seat in parliament, the ruling majority may have a problem since they have the slimmest of majorities. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said it would be best for everyone if Dabro simply stepped way but acknowledged it was Dabro's right to keep his seat since he was elected directly to the Sabor.

"He is choosing to stay. The fact that circumstances have now made him the 76th vote, makes him extremely relevant for speculating whether there is a majority or not. It is my impression that we have a majority and that we will continue to have one,” said Plenković.

Following the vote, Dabro headed home where he was later arrested by police in Vukovar-Srijem County.