Prosecutors in Croatia have brought a fresh indictment against former Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, saying he used a corrupt real estate deal to add nearly $3 million to his personal fortune.
Officials in the capital, Zagreb, say Sanader and three former associates are charged with using government funds to purchase a building at a price "significantly higher than its market value."
This is the fifth corruption-related charge leveled against the 59-year-old Sanader, who led the government from 2003-09.
Prosecutors say he illegally gained a total of more than $15 million through a series of corrupt business deals while serving as prime minister.
Sanader has pleaded not guilty to all previous charges.
The fight against corruption is seen as key to Croatia's bid to join the European Union in 2013.
Officials in the capital, Zagreb, say Sanader and three former associates are charged with using government funds to purchase a building at a price "significantly higher than its market value."
This is the fifth corruption-related charge leveled against the 59-year-old Sanader, who led the government from 2003-09.
Prosecutors say he illegally gained a total of more than $15 million through a series of corrupt business deals while serving as prime minister.
Sanader has pleaded not guilty to all previous charges.
The fight against corruption is seen as key to Croatia's bid to join the European Union in 2013.
