Leak stirs more confusion in drone investigation

Nearly three weeks after the mysterious cash of a Soviet-era drone in Zagreb, there is still no final determination on whether the aircraft was carrying a bomb or not but leaked information from a forensics investigation, suggesting no traces of explosive have been found, created more confusion on Wednesday.

Someone at the institution handling the forensic examination of parts of the drone leaked to the media on Wednesday that investigators had found no traces of explosive on sections of the aircraft they have been examining.

Later, the State Prosecutor's Office issued a statement contradicting the unofficial report and saying that a bomb and a detonator had been on the aircraft. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković cited the Prosecutor's Office in his remarks at Wednesday’s cabinet meeting. He said it was important for all the parts of the investigation to be conducted thoroughly and precisely.

"What has been confirmed, including by the State Prosecutor's Office, is that the drone, instead of being a surveillance aircraft, was fitted with a kind of air bomb and that the aircraft was armed,” Plenković said.

The opposition is skeptical.

"Clearly, Prime Minister Plenković found it beneficial to stoke tensions, upset the public, and call in the opposition to create a state of war-time psychosis. Then nobody is talking about three government ministers who are under investigation," said Most MP Nikola Grmoja.

SDP leader Peđa Grbin said he only wanted to hear the facts from the investigators.

"I want to hear, yes, there was an explosive or no, there was no explosive. When politicians prattle on, it only alarms the public,” said Grbin.

The Ivan Vučetić Center for Forensic Science has not yet released its official findings.