"This is a game by the Globus weekly and the intelligence underworld and it suits someone that I should no longer be considered a political factor. Even though I can no longer run in elections, it obviously bothers someone that I express my opinion. This is how they intend to shut me up. This is politically motivated," Mesic told the media.

The Globus weekly released an article in which it alleges that the Finnish state prosecution and the chief inspector of the national investigations office confirmed that former Croatian president Mesic and a former CEO of the Djuro Djakovic company, Bartol Jerkovic were suspected that in 2007 they had taken a bribe from a mediator on behalf of the Patria firm to win a tender to supply the Croatian army with armoured vehicles.

Mesic said that the purpose of all this was to say that "they are all thieves and criminals, they all stole and now a firm hand is needed."

As far as the deal with Patria is concerned there was no need for any bribe because Patria's bid was the most favourable, Mesic said.

Asked about his role in the deal, Mesic said that he had been at war with the then defence minister Berislav Roncevic over the supply of the trucks. "I called for responsibility, I didn't specify his, but that responsibility be determined for the supply of more expensive and poorer quality trucks as I was advised by military sources. We practically didn't speak because I asked for a clean slate and then by what logic could I or the minister be connected," claimed Mesic.

He added that the deal with Patria was above board and that all bids were public. Patria's bid was determined to be the most favourable and the deal was made but that was done in the Defence Ministry. The president had nothing to do with that. The supply of weapons and equipment is handled by the government and the Defence Ministry, the president has no influence in that regard, he said.

Asked about what he thought of claims by Patria's delegate for Slovenia and Croatia, Hans-Wolfgang Riedl, that in 2005 he allegedly had agreed to an extra 8.5% with Zagreb as a commission for someone in the ministry, Mesic said that obviously someone in Patria defrauded the company and that's why the Finns have been charged and not anyone in Croatia, he said.

"That person had to show that he was giving a commission to Croatia but that simply wasn't necessary as Patria's conditions were simply the best for Croatia, even better than for Slovenia and so why would anyone need to be bribed", Mesic concluded.

Globus reported that Mesic and Jerkovic were suspects but also reported that Finnish state prosecutor Juke Rappe had said that the Finnish prosecution would not be taking any legal steps against Croatian citizens as this was the duty of the Croatian state prosecution.

Croatia's state prosecution said on Wednesday they had no comment in regard to this case.