The parliamentary Privileges and Credentials Commission on Thursday stripped three MPs of immunity from prosecution, clearing the way for legal action against them on suspicion of corruption.

The commission lifted the immunity of Drazen Barisic (HDZ), Vinko Grgic (SDP) and Darko Puljasic (HDZ) following a motion by the state prosecutor and USKOK anti-corruption office.

Earlier in the day, police and USKOK arrested Dragan Kovacevic, the CEO of oil pipeline operator Janaf, in connection with financial wrongdoing in this company.

Barisic is the mayor of Velika Gorica, Grgic is the mayor of Nova Gradiska and Puljasic is the mayor of Pozega.

USKOK confirmed that Kovacevic had been arrested and that several other people were being arrested on suspicion of influence peddling, bribery and illicit preferential treatment.

In a statement in which the suspects were not identified, USKOK said it had asked Parliament to strip the MPs of immunity from prosecution.