Languages
Page last updated at 14:40 GMT, Thursday, 2 October 2008 15:40 UK

Croatian 'gem' general extradited

Vladimir Zagorec. File photo
Mr Zagorec has been working as a property developer in Austria

A former Croatian general suspected of stealing £3m worth of diamonds has been extradited from Austria to Croatia.

Vladimir Zagorec is alleged to have taken the gems while he was deputy defence minister during Croatia's war in the 1990s.

He is suspected of taking the diamonds from an arms dealer as a guarantee against the delivery of anti-aircraft rockets - in breach of a UN embargo.

Mr Zagorec - who has lived in Austria since 2000 - denies the allegations.

On Thursday, he arrived in Zagreb on a regular flight from Vienna and was taken to a prison in the Croatian capital.

Mr Zagorec will now face an investigative judge, who will recommend to the prosecutors whether to indict him or drop the charges.

He had challenged his extradition to Croatia, but an Austrian court rejected his complaints.

Mr Zagorec has been working as a property developer in Austria.



FEATURES, VIEWS, ANALYSIS
What became of Romania's neglected orphans?
Why Athens has incurred wrath of credit rating gods
Striking images from around the world

Explore the BBC

BBC © MMIX

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
Americas Africa Europe Middle East South Asia Asia Pacific