The director of the Central Finance and Contracting Agency (SAFU), Tomislav Petric, who is one of the four suspects in the Software corruption case, will soon be replaced, Regional Development and EU Funds Minister Natasa Tramisak announced on Friday.

Petric was arrested on Wednesday at the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in Croatia (EPPO), and has been remanded in 30-day detention along with three other suspects on suspicion of embezzling 1.8 million euros.

Asked by the press about Petric, Minister Tramisak said that the SAFU steering committee would propose to the government Petric’s dismissal on the grounds that he cannot perform his duties.

Asked by the press whether she had cooperated with the European Commission’s Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) in connection with the Software case, in which her predecessor Gabrijela Zalac has been arrested, and whether OLAF has requested any documents from the ministry pertaining to this case, Tramisak said that many beneficiaries use EU funds conscientiously and as planned, and that SAFU had forwarded to OLAF 217 reports on suspected irregularities.

The further procedure depends on their rules, she said, adding that according to her information, OLAF investigators had visited the ministry in early September and asked for some documents.

“I cannot comment on the course of action because I am not acquainted with it,” Tramisak said.

OLAF investigates fraud against the EU budget, corruption and serious misconduct within the European institutions, and develops anti-fraud policy for the European Commission.