Interior Minister Tomislav Karamarko said on Sunday he absolutely supported Police Director Oliver Grbic for everything the police had done over the past two years in the fight against corruption, which he said had been verified with the closure of the "Judiciary and Fundamental Rights" policy chapter in Croatia's accession negotiations with the European Union.
"Those threatened by our investigations certainly won't forgive us that and this harangue and attack on the police and these nebulous accusations are a result of that and, I feel, a prevention of everything we still have to do," Karamarko told the press after a meeting with Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor about holding a session of the National Security Council.
He said Grbic's replacement was not discussed at the meeting, as there was no reason for it.
"Engaging in petty politicking and fabrications and then seeking a replacement is absurd," Karamarko said commenting on some demands that Grbic be replaced.
He suggested analysing all police reports that had been filed to see how many were against members of the ruling HDZ party and how many against members of other political parties.
Karamarko said the claims that Grbic had been going to the HDZ leadership to agree prosecutions against HDZ members "is a tall tale."
He said police work over the past two years had resulted in many charges being pressed, adding that the Police Directorate would have his support as long as it abided by the law, just as the Interior Ministry would have the government's support as long as it enforced the law and was highly professional.
