Former top Croatian spy sought by Germany arrested

A former top Croatian spy sought by Germany was arrested on Wednesday in Croatia whose case sparked a row between the European Union and its newest member.

Josip Perkovic, a former Yugoslav secret service agent and Croatia’s ex-head of intelligence, was arrested as the country lifted a limitation it had imposed on extraditions within the EU, with effect from January 1. He is wanted for involvement in the 1983 murder of a Croatian dissident in Germany. Perkovic will oppose extradition to Germany, his lawyer said, adding that a Zagreb court would rule within eight days on the extradition.

The former spy’s case sparked a dispute between the European Union and Croatia right after it joined the bloc.