Former intelligence officials Perković and Mustać to file pardon request

Two former Yugoslav-era intelligence officials convicted in Germany in 2016 of the killing of a Croatian emigrant in the 1980s are expected to ask to be pardoned on Tuesday. 

Josip Perković and Zdravko Mustać, both in their 70s, are serving lengthy prison sentences - 30 and 40 years, respectively - in Croatia. They have already served eight years. Attorney Anto Nobilo is expected to submit a pardon request for both men to the Ministry of Justice on Tuesday. Once the ministry reviews the request, it will be forwarded to President Zoran Milanović.

Last week, several retired Croatian generals, including Ante Gotovina, signed a letter asking President Milanović to pardon the two men because of their contributions to Croatia's independence and defense during the Homeland War. Media revelations about the letter have divided the Homeland War veteran’s community, prompting two signatories, Krešimir Čosić and Marinko Krešić, to withdraw. Meanwhile, General Luka Džanko announced Monday has signed on to the initiative.

Since he took office in 2020, President Milanović has received more than 270 requests for pardons but he has yet to exercise his right to grant one.