Lawyer Vladimir Gredelj, who represents the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), on Wednesday accused the national anti-corruption office USKOK of not allowing him access to documentation and to take over the remainder of the file regarding the investigation into the party's alleged slush funds, describing it as a violation of a suspect's right to defence and yet another proof that the HDZ was not treated fairly in the proceedings.
"In response to my official request for access to the documentation and to take over the remainder of the file, which I have sent to USKOK as a an agency conducting the investigation against my client, I have received an unsubstantiated answer saying that it will not be possible in the foreseeable future," the lawyer said in a press release.
He said this was a violation of the rights of a suspect to defend themselves and proof that the HDZ was not treated fairly in the proceedings.
"In the present political, legal and media atmosphere, which suggests that an indictment will be issued even though the investigation is not over yet," by denying the defence's right to access to relevant documentation USKOK brings into question the protection of the fundamental right of the suspect to defence and a fair trial, Gredelj said, expressing his indignation at such an act.
