graft classes at schools

The justice ministry launched the "Anti-Corruption Class" with a lecture and a discussion at a school in the eastern city of Osijek and will hold similar classes in all secondary schools this year, the justice ministry said.

Croatia hopes to wrap up EU accesion talks next year and join the bloc in 2012, but Brussels has said it must first step up its fight against corruption and strengthen its judiciary. The campaign has gained momentum since Jadranka Kosor took over the conservative government, following the sudden departure of her predecessor Ivo Sanader, who unexpectedly quit in July.

Since then, a former defence minister in Sanader's government was indicted for corruption, paving the way for a first anti-graft trial of a top government official.

Croatia's inefficient judiciary has meant that few trials have been completed and even fewer have led to convictions.

Last week the government sacked the state highway company HAC's chiefs amid media allegations of illegal business deals.

Deputy Prime Minister Damir Polanec quit last month after a series of corruption scandals prompted calls for him to go.

Also in October, police arrested several managers, including the former and current chief executives, of leading food group, Podravka. They accused them of trying to buy a majority stake in Podravka using the company's own funds.

"Corruption here is primarily the result of cultural heritage and mentality, that is why we welcome such preventive measures," said Zorislav Antun Petrovic who heads the local unit of Transparency International, an anti-corruption body.