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CROATIA HAS charged five people over the murder of two leading media figures and jailed 22 people in a major drug smuggling case, as part of a drive to crush powerful organised crime groups that could threaten the country's bid to join the European Union.

Croatia established special courts for Mafia suspects and announced plans to improve the running of its police force and witness-protection programme, and move more swiftly to confiscate criminals' property, after a string of apparent contract killings in the capital, Zagreb. A new interior minister, justice minister and chief of police have also been appointed in recent weeks.