FORMER Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, who left his country for Austria while being investigated for corruption, was extradited home Monday night.

    After a judge approved his release from a prison in Salzburg, Austria, Croatian police escorted Sanader to Zagreb, where he was imprisoned, Croatian police spokesman Krunoslav Borovec said on Croatian TV.

    The former prime minister was driven home under tight security, Borovec said. Witnesses said police sealed off the area of Croatia where the motorcade arrived with Sanader.

    He is the highest-ranking official to be charged with a crime since Croatia became independent in 1991. The former Yugoslav republic has promised to root out corruption as it is slated to join the European Union in 2013.

    Sanader was the premier of Croatia for six years before resigning in 2009.SD-Agencies)