A Zagreb County Court investigating judge on Saturday set month-long detention for Velika Gorica Mayor Drazen Barisic and Nova Gradiska Mayor Vinko Grgic.

Anti-corruption investigators had asked that the two be remanded in custody due to the risk of witness tampering and concerns that they could repeat the crimes they are suspected of, while the suspects’ defence counsel said they would appeal against the judge’s decision.

Both suspects, who are among a score of people suspected of corruption, influence-peddling and bribery in a case involving JANAF oil pipeline operator CEO Dragan Kovacevic, denied any involvement in said crimes during their questioning earlier in the day.

A Zagreb County Court investigating judge on Friday set month-long investigative custody for ten suspects in the JANAF scandal, citing the risk of witness tampering.

Along with JANAF CEO Kovacevic, who the media claim was tipped off about his arrest, the investigation in the case also covers Kreso Petek, director of the Elektrocentar Petek company, who allegedly bribed Kovacevic and the two mayors to make sure his company won tenders worth millions of kuna.