The Zagreb County Court earlier today sentenced Roncevic and Bacic to four and two years in prison for defrauding the state budget of 10.2 million kuna by buying for the Croatian army military trucks from the Iveco company that were more expensive and less good than trucks offered by other bidders.

"Tax payers expect sate officials to work to protect the interests of citizens and not to buy expensive trucks instead of cheap ones which also meet the needs of the Defence Forces," said the presiding judge.

It is the court's position that Roncevic and Bacic abused their powers when they purchased 39 military Iveco trucks from the "Eurokamioni" company for HRK 34.4 million, or HRK 10.2 million more than the price offered by the "MAN Importer" company whose application was declared invalid.

The explanation of the verdict also states that more trucks of better quality could have been purchased for the same amount, but that Roncevic and Bacic created more favourable conditions for Iveco.

The verdict against Roncevic is more severe than the one against Bacic, as he was the head of the Defence Ministry, therefore he had more responsibility. Bacic however, executed Roncevic's orders , although he knew that the company they were signing a deal with offered more expensive trucks.

Both the defence team and the anti-corruption agency USKOK said they would appeal.

While the defence claims that the two men should have been acquitted, the prosecution is confident that the penalty should have been more severe.

After the trial, ex minister Roncevic said he expected an acquittal.

Asked to comment on the ruling that along with the prison term he would have to pay HRK 10.2 million to the state budget, Roncevic said he would respect all judicial decisions.

Although he attended every hearing, Bacic did not show up in court today.