ZAGREB, 17 June (Hina) – Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said on Wednesday the planned introduction of life imprisonment and post-release supervision will help protect society from individuals who, even after serving their sentences, pose a serious threat to the life, physical safety, freedom or sexual integrity of others.

Presenting the changes to the Criminal Code prepared by Justice Minister Damir Habijan and Health Minister Irena Hrstić, Plenković said at a cabinet session they would allow courts to impose life sentences for perpetrators of the most serious crimes.

He added that security measures involving protective supervision would be decided on the basis of expert assessments at the end of a prison term, rather than at sentencing, in order to determine whether individuals should remain under monitoring after completing their sentences.

Plenković also referred to plans for a separate law regulating the placement of individuals assessed as socially dangerous after fully serving their sentences in specially supervised institutions.

Responding to criticism and questions regarding the use of European funds, the prime minister said completed projects financed through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility were evidence of how the NRRP funds had been spent.

“We will propose a tour across Croatia so that those who are not aware can better familiarise themselves with the investments made in recent years for balanced regional development,” he said, in an apparent reference to opposition politicians questioning the results of EU-funded projects.