The Vice-President of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Vladimir Seks, has dismissed as a lie the statement by former Deputy Prime Minister Damir Polancec that Seks had suggested to him to organise his defence in such a way as to compromise former Prime Minister Ivo Sanader.
"Damir Polancec is a brazen liar who is trying to compromise the political leadership of the HDZ, the government and an honest judge, Ivan Turudic," Seks told Croatian Television in an interview on Saturday evening.
When asked about Polancec's motives, Seks said that Polancec was following "the orders of his boss, Ivo Sanader."
"The strategy of his defence attorney (Anto Nobilo) was designed by Ivo Sanader, and Polancec is just carrying out the defence tactic aimed at discrediting the Croatian justice system, the judiciary, and all the people named in his letter," Seks said.
Seks also dismissed as a lie the statement by Polancec that Seks had known how many years in prison Polancec would receive.
When asked if the HDZ would obstruct Sanader's return to Parliament, Seks said, "The HDZ will not obstruct the return to the Croatian Parliament of any deputy who has that right under the law." He reiterated that should Sanader return to the Sabor, HDZ deputies would give him "an appropriate reception".
