The Croatian Parliament on Dec. 9 unanimously abolished former prime minister Ivo Sanader's immunity.

The Office for the Prevention of Corruption and Organized Crime had, through the state prosecutor's office, called for the revoking of Sanader's immunity, i.e. for the approval of his arrest on charges of association for the purpose of committing crimes and abuse of position and authority.

The decision was supported by all 104 MPs present.

Croatian police said they will utilize all legal instruments, including issuing an international arrest warrant, in order to ensure the suspect's presence at the legal process.

The parliament's decision was preceded by a unanimous decision of the Mandate and Immunity Commission, which had proposed that the parliament strip Sanader of his immunity.

The Interior Ministry on Dec. 9 confirmed that Sanader left Croatia through the border crossing with Slovenia in the morning, stating that there were no legal grounds at that time to prevent him from departing the country.

According to unofficial media information, Sanader allegedly headed to London from Ljubljana in the afternoon. He sent a text message to the daily Vecernji List, saying he was on a previously planned trip and would respond to the prosecution's summons.