VIENNA — Croatia’s former deputy defense minister is threatening to make public evidence of breaches of the arms embargo during the Yugoslav wars.
Vladimir Zagorec is faced with extradition from Austria to the Croatian authorities for embezzling state funds, after his appeal against the court’s decision to extradite him was turned down.
He told Vienna weekly News that he would be forced to give his lawyers documents showing that the purchase of weapons for Croatian forces during the UN embargo continued unchecked.
The main purchaser of Croatian arms during Franjo Tuđman’s regime fears for his life.
“Violation of the UN embargo doesn’t expire regardless of which country was involved, or if it was neutral or not. I have no qualms about handing over all those documents to the UN in Strasbourg or Geneva. I’m really sorry if that might cause problems and sanctions for the arms traders. However, if [Croatian] President Stjepan Mesić and his associates want that, they can have it. I am the only one who didn’t violate the embargo,” said the former Croatian general.
Asked which countries or companies had violated the UN embargo, Zagorec explained that he did not want to make that public now, while the trial in Geneva and Strasbourg was still under way.
“However, you don’t need to be a genius to work out that we had [Austrian] Stayer Mannlicher rifles, German G3 rifles from Heckler and Koch, German ‘Armbrust’, Argentine howitzers, Russian MIG aircraft and MI24 helicopters. Just look at the photos of the military parade in Zagreb in 1995, and everything will become clear,” he stated.
Zagorec also directed accusations at the Austrian judiciary.
“I understand that Austria finds it hard to be fair and just in my case. It’s no secret that Austria supports Croatia on its road to the EU, and that my case presents an obstacle. Austria’s support would come into question if it were confirmed that the Croatian judiciary was not functioning,” Zagorec said, adding that he would not allow himself or his family to become collateral damage.
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