ZAGREB: A Croatian court ruled yesterday that a communist-era intelligence chief could be extradited to Germany where he is wanted over a killing of a Yugoslav dissident in the 1980s.
Josip Perkovic, who was in office when Croatia was part of communist federal Yugoslavia, was arrested on New Year’s Day as the Balkan state acted to resolve an extradition dispute that had overshadowed its accession to the European Union last July.
The same day police also arrested a second ex-secret service chief, Zdravko Mustac, from the Yugoslav period. Mustac is also wanted by Germany for the same crime and another Zagreb court is to rule on his extradition today.
“The court decided to approve the extradition of Josip Perkovic to Germany, based on (a) European Arrest Warrant,” said Ivana Calic, a Zagreb county court deputy spokeswoman.
Perkovic’s lawyer said they would appeal to the Supreme Court, which must then rule within three days.
reuters
