A court in Austria ruled on Monday that former Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader can be extradited back to Croatia to face charges of corruption there, relating to his time as prime minister from 2003 to his resignation in 2009.

Sanader was arrested in Austria on December 10 after Croatia issued an international arrest warrant. He is suspected of corruption and embezzlement, and Croatian media suspect he funneled millions of dollars from state-owned companies into his own political party and other private accounts. Since his arrest, Sanader has been held in an Austrian prison.

On Monday, Sanader's defense team said they would appeal the Salzburg court's decision, and Sanader will continue to be held in Salzburg until a decision is made on the appeal at a court in Linz.

Lawyers for Sanader argue that the former politician should not be handed over to Croatia to face the charges because he will not be given a fair trial.

The European Union has encouraged Croatia to tighten up its judiciary to help meet the country's goal of joining the EU by the end of the year.

Sanader has denied any wrongdoing and believes the charges stem from a political vendetta.

Author: Matt Zuvela (AP, AFP, Reuters)
Editor: Nicole Goebel