The Austrian public broadcaster ORF on Wednesday reported that the prosecutorial authorities in Klagenfurt possessed indications that former Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader might have asked and received kickbacks from the Hypo Alpe Adria Bank in the 1990s.
At the time Sanader was Croatia's deputy foreign minister, the ORF said.
Reportedly, Sanader is suspected of having agreed on commissions to be given to him when he was involved in the process of the approval of Hypo Bank's loans to the state institutions and companies.
According to the Austrian broadcaster's own sources, the commissions amounted to several million schillings.
The kickbacks to for Sanader were approved by the then bank's CEOs, Wolfgang Kulterer i Guenter Striedinger, the ORF said.
If these suspicions are to be corroborated, Sanader, who is held in the extradition custody in Salzburg, would face another proceedings for his false testimony before a commission of inquiry, the Austrian public broadcaster said.
The Austrian anti-corruption investigating agency has already launched an investigation into Sanader over the alleged money laundering case.
The new indications, however, should not affect the extradition request submitted by the prosecutorial authorities in Croatia where Sanader is wanted on corruption charges.
The extradition detention for Sanader is prolonged until 18 March, and a hearing on this matter has not yet be scheduled, the ORF said.
On Thursday, the Austrian anti-corruption investigating agency is expected to question Sanader in the Salzburg prison.
