A Croatian ex-general suspected of stealing $5 million (€3.6 million) in diamonds during Croatia's independence war, was extradited from Austria today.
Vladimir Zagorec, who has lived in Vienna since 2000, arrived in Zagreb on a regular flight slightly before noon local time and was taken to a prison in the Croatian capital, it was reported.
Mr Zagorec can be formally indicted and put on trial only if an investigative judge confirms the case against him can go ahead. He is due to appear before the judge in the next 24 hours.
Croatian authorities accuse him of receiving the diamonds from an arms dealer as a guarantee against the delivery of anti-aircraft rockets during Zagreb's 1991-95 war of independence from Serb-dominated federal Yugoslavia, at a time when the country was under an international arms embargo.
They say the former deputy defence minister did not record the diamonds in the ministry's books and took them with him when he left his post. Zagorec has denied all charges.
The process against Zagorec is part of a wider government investigation into abuse of defence funds during the war, when millions of dollars were allegedly funnelled into secret accounts abroad.
Croatia issued an international arrest warrant and asked for his extradition in March 2007 after Zagorec missed a preliminary hearing in Zagreb.
An Austrian court overturned Zagorec's appeal against extradition almost a year ago but he was set free pending further appeal, after posting bail of €1 million.
Austrian police arrested Zagorec last Friday.
Zagorec, now a wealthy businessman, has publicly complained that his life was in jeopardy in Croatia. He moved to Austria permanently after his son was kidnapped in Zagreb in 2004. The son was returned after he paid a large ransom.
Reuters