Kalmeta rejects amended indictment in HAC-Remorker case

The HAC-Remorker affair continues to unfold at the Zagreb County Court, with former HDZ minister Božidar Kalmeta and his co-defendants maintaining their innocence against amended charges. Kalmeta has firmly rejected the latest indictment, stating the accusations have no connection to him, a stance echoed by his co-defendants Zdravko Livaković, Milivoj Mikulić, Stjepko Boban, Damir Kezele, and Sandro Vukelić. They have all stood by their previous defenses, with Livaković and Mikulić presenting detailed financial analyses based on expert findings and previous court rulings. These analyses, they claim, demonstrate that no defendant could have received illicit funds.

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Ostajem kod svih svojih ranije iznesenih obrana u ovom postupku. Izmijenjenu optužnicu odbacujem jer inkriminacije nemaju nikakve veze sa mnom.

Livaković specifically highlighted the lack of evidence suggesting he influenced anyone to facilitate undue financial gain exceeding 10 million kuna. The defense also intends to introduce a "property map" belonging to Josip Sapunar, a former co-defendant who turned state witness after admitting guilt and reaching a plea deal with USKOK. Sapunar's testimony is central to the prosecution's case, tracing the flow of money from HAC through Igor Premilovac's companies to Sapunar. Mikulić, however, questioned the credibility of Sapunar's statements, pointing out the apparent contradiction between Sapunar's detailed recall of financial transactions and his alleged uncertainty about his own property, such as the size of his apartment.

The amended indictment revises the charges against Kalmeta, who is accused of commissioning the film "Prometna renesansa Hrvatske" for political promotion in 2007 and 2008, despite such financing from the state budget being prohibited. Notably, the charge that approximately 15 million kuna siphoned from HAC via the Remorker company ended up in Kalmeta's personal accounts has been altered. Previously, he was accused of receiving over 500,000 euros in illicit benefits; the current indictment focuses on benefits related to Luka Gažen.

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Izmijenjena optužnica je loše izmišljena konstrukcija.

From a Croatian perspective, this case highlights the complexities of judicial proceedings and the persistent allegations of corruption involving high-ranking officials from past governments. The defense's strategy of questioning state witnesses and presenting alternative financial analyses underscores the adversarial nature of the trial. The public's attention remains focused on the evidence presented and the court's eventual verdict, which will undoubtedly have implications for the political landscape and public trust.

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Zanimljivo je da čovjek ne zna koliko je velik stan u kojem živi, koji ne zna što sve ima od imovine, u svojim iskazima na sudu točno zna koju sumu je kome dao i to nakon što je priznao krivnju i nagodio se s USKOK-om.