Virovitica Municipal Court on Wednesday acquitted reporter and vice president of the Croatian Journalists' Association (HND), Goran Gazdek, of the charges of the slander of the reputation of former agriculture minister Tomislav Toslusic, the HND has reported.

The court’s ruling is subject to appeal.

Tolusic filed the defamation lawsuit against Gazdek, who is the editor of the Virovitica.net news portal, seeking 180 daily incomes or approximately HRK 40,000 in compensation for violation of personal rights.

Commenting on the presidential election in December 2019, Gazdek referred to Tomislav Tolusic, Ivica Kirin and Josip Djakic as ruffians in of the HDZ party. Tolusic was insulted by the remark and sued Gazdek for emotional pain.

Apart from this private lawsuit, Tolusic lodged a legal action against the web portal for another two articles and is seeking HRK 40,000 in compensation.