Former Croatian prime minister Ivo Sanader arrested

Former Croatian prime minister, Ivo Sanader, wanted in connection with an anti-corruption probe, was arrested in Austria on Friday.

Prosecutors suspect Ivo Sanader of being behind a plan to create slush funds for his conservative HDZ party when he was in power from 2003 to 2009 Photo: AP

5:17PM GMT 10 Dec 2010

Mr Sanader left Croatia on Thursday shortly before parliament lifted his immunity from prosecution. Earlier yesterday, an international arrest warrant had been issued for him.

Prosecutors suspect him of being behind a plan to create slush funds for his conservative HDZ party when he was in power from 2003 to 2009.

Mr Sanader denies the accusations, saying they are politically motivated.

Mr Sanader was arrested in Salzburg province, Austrian interior ministry spokesman Alexander Marakovits said. "He will go to the Salzburg provincial court and then the authorities will have to decide what will happen with him in the next days or the next weeks,"

Mr Sanader resigned unexpectedly and with no explanation in July 2009. His ruling HDZ party expelled him in January.