Decision on Todorić’s Extradition Postponed to Monday

The decision regarding the extradition of Agrokor founder Ivica Todorić, which was scheduled for Friday, has been postponed to Monday, April 23, it was stated at the Westminster Court in London.

At the court, in its extradition department, they told Hina that they cannot provide official statements to journalists, but they confirmed the information that the decision will be announced at the hearing on Monday at 11:30 AM local time (12:30 PM Central European Time) in the presence of Ivica Todorić.

>>>Todorić: The nationalization of Agrokor has ruined my and thousands of families

At the hearing held ten days ago, on April 10, Judge Emma Arbuthnot announced that she would make a decision on April 20. Now it has been moved to April 23. However, this is only a first-instance decision, and it will likely take between three and six months to wait for a final decision. Todorić’s defense has already announced that if a decision on extradition is made, they will seek permission to appeal.

Todorić was arrested last year on November 7 based on a European arrest warrant issued by Croatia, and on the same day, he was released on bail of one hundred thousand pounds and precautionary measures. The judge released Todorić after he paid the bail, confiscated his passport, required him to wear a security bracelet, and report to the police three times a week. Todorić and 14 other individuals are under investigation in Croatia due to the debt crisis in Agrokor, a company that employs 60,000 people in Croatia and the region and is under the supervision of the Croatian state.

>>>Todorić: The government has handed over the national wealth I built to foreign interests

At the hearing held on April 10, two witnesses for Todorić’s defense were heard, economist William John Bartlett, who dealt with transitional countries, and lawyer Jadranka Sloković.

Todorić’s defense sought to prove through their testimonies the existence of political motives for his persecution, that there were no financial irregularities in Agrokor, and that the state attorney’s office does not yet have sufficiently strong evidence to confirm the indictment, so consequently, Todorić, in the case of extradition, could wait in prison for a verdict for up to three and a half years and would not be able to pay bail for defense from freedom as all his assets are frozen.

>>>Todorić: The removal of Ramljak will not save the concern, lex Agrokor should be abolished

Lawyer Clare Montgomery, who represented Croatia, sought to prove that the collapse of Agrokor is not the fault of politics but of its owner Ivica Todorić. In her presentation, she emphasized that the DORH has quite enough evidence for a criminal proceeding. She stated that for this case, it does not matter how long Todorić would have to wait for trial after extradition because there is solid evidence, documents, and witnesses that speak of his guilt.