Fischler, who spent an hour and a half with Sanader, was accompanied by lawyer Jadranka Slokovic, one of Sanader's attorneys.

After the talks, Fischler told reporters that he arrived in Zagreb on his own initiative and that he brought books as a present to his friend.

The Austrian politician said that the talks revolved around personal matters, Sanader's experiences and expectations, his family and some things from their joint past.

He added that Sanader seemed fit and in an excellent mental condition.

Fischler said that he believed that Sanader was absolutely innocent and that he expected a fair trial. He stressed that under international standards everybody was innocent until the court's verdict.

Asked whether he would visit Sanader again and whether he expected a fair trial, Fischler answered in the affirmative.

Until late summer last year, Fischler was a consultant of the Croatian government on agricultural matters. After he was seen with Sanader at the international forum "Europaforum" in Alpbach, Austria, Croatia severed cooperation with his "Franz Fischler Consult" agency, according to the Austrian politician's claims.

In response to reporters' questions about the alleged slush funds of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union which former HDZ accountant Branka Pavosevic claimed had existed, Slokovic said that this topic had not been discussed yet.

We do not comment on daily comments. We do our job and at the moment it is a response to the indictment, the lawyer said.

The national USKOK anti-corruption investigative agency has recently filed an indictment against Sanader, accusing him of war profiteering and abuse of office when he allegedly took kickbacks for a loan which Austria's Hypo bank approved for Croatia when he was Deputy Foreign Minister in the mid-90s.