Zagreb - The Croatian Parliament amended the Criminal Procedure Act for the seventh time on Friday. The amendments include several novelties: police interviews with suspects will be recorded and used as evidence in further proceedings; a distinction is made between the terms "victim" and "injured party"; victims' rights have been strengthened, including the right to protection against intimidation and the right to have one's case heard without unjustified delay.
Also amended were the Misdemeanours Act, the Office for Prevention of Corruption and Organised Crime (USKOK) Act and the Political Activity and Election Campaign Financing Act. The Act governing the confiscation of assets acquired by commission of a crime or a minor offence ceased to be valid.
MPs unanimously adopted the Act on the comparability of fees related to payment accounts, payment account switching and access to payment accounts with basic features. The aim of the law is to enhance the transparency and comparability of fees, establish rules for account switching at national level, and facilitate cross-border account opening. (Hina)