The USKOK anti-corruption office has moved for the investigative detention of five suspects arrested on Wednesday in two corruption cases connected with the late Zagreb mayor Milan Bandic.

In one case, the director general of the HRT public broadcasting service, Kazimir Bacic, is suspected of receiving a bribe in the form of an apartment worth over HRK 1 million from businessman Milan Loncaric, the former owner of the TEZ electric bulb factory, in return for helping him get from Mayor Bandic the necessary approvals and licences for building construction.

In the other case, Bandic’s long-time chauffeur Zdravko Krajina, former member of the commission for the lease of public spaces Jelena Ceklic and businessman Denis Mohenski are suspected of giving bribes and abuse of position in connection with the allocation of stalls for the Christmas market.

HRT said today that the incumbent programming director Renato Kunic would take over Bacic’s duties, while Bacic’s status would be decided by the HRT Supervisory Board and the parliament.