Croatian lawmakers change disputed extradition law to avoid EU sanctions

ZAGREB, Croatia – Lawmakers in Croatia — the European Union's newest member — have approved changes to a law banning the extradition of suspected criminals in order to avoid possible sanctions from the bloc.

Croatia's parliament voted 83-28 on Friday to pass the amendments requested by the EU. Eight lawmakers abstained from the vote, which paves the way for the bill's changes to formally take effect by Jan. 1 the latest.

The law was adopted just a day before Croatia formally became an EU member on July 1 and included a retroactive prohibition on Croatian citizens being extradited, which goes against EU practice.

The EU had threatened sanctions such as suspending funds for Croatia's border controls over the law and the country promised to amend it as soon as possible.