President Ivo Josipovic said on Thursday that the alleged secret surveillance of chief state prosecutor Mladen Bajic and eight journalists ordered by former police chief Oliver Grbic should be examined to see if everything was above board or if there was any irregularity. First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusic said that the relevant institutions needed to be put in order.
Josipovic and Pusic were attending the launch of a book, "Croatia in the EU: How to proceed", and reporters questioned them about an article in the Novi List daily of the alleged secret surveillance last year ahead of the parliamentary elections. The daily claims that Bajic and eight journalists were put under surveillance and that their phone records were monitored for the purpose of investigating information leaks in the Fimi-Media corruption case.
The Police Directorate said on Thursday that "no order based on any legal authority was issued for any police action against Chief State Prosecutor Mladen Bajic or his associates".
The State Prosecutor's Office declined to comment on the alleged secret surveillance of the chief state prosecutor and eight journalists, saying that any questions relating to this matter should be referred to the Interior Ministry.
