Grlić Radman against Milanović: His statements harm Croats in Greece

(Patria) - President Zoran Milanović's statements harm the position of Dinamo fans detained in Greek prisons after clashes with AEK Athens fans, said Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman today.

- Certainly (Milanović's statements) absolutely cause great harm, they do not contribute to the position of Croatian citizens in prisons - Grlić Radman told reporters at the annual Conference of Croatian Ambassadors, Consuls General, Consuls and Military Attachés.

He added that Greek authorities consider this "not the Croatian position, but an isolated case".

- Of course, they understand this situation, but it is perceived poorly in Greek public opinion - Grlić Radman assesses.

Milanović stated that Croatian citizens are being treated as prisoners of war and that collective punishment is being applied to them.

- Well then let them treat them according to the rules of war law, and we will exchange people, we will gather a hundred Greeks - said the Croatian president on Tuesday.

Croatian Minister of Justice Ivan Malenica and Grlić Radman visited the fans in prison on Monday, and Grlić Radman emphasized that this is not pressure on the Greek judiciary.

- We cannot exert pressure. We do not exert pressure on our own judiciary either; these are separate categories. You cannot exert pressure on the judiciary of an EU member state.

When it comes to protecting Croatian citizens, that is our constitutional, moral, human and professional obligation - says the head of Croatian diplomacy, as reported by Hina.

Grlić Radman also added that they have no information about threats to Croats in prison.

- We have no such information. We immediately received a guarantee from the Greek authorities that their lives are safe. They are dispersed, but separated from other prisoners serving sentences - he stated.