Croatian president says words no longer enough after Nazi chants at Hajduk Split gathering

Croatian President Zoran Milanović has condemned chants and behaviour glorifying Nazi Germany and the Ustaše regime during a Hajduk Split supporters’ gathering, calling for action by police, prosecutors and the courts.

In a statement issued on Friday, 16 October, Milanović described the conduct of some members of the Torcida supporters’ group in Split as unacceptable and shameful.

He said expressions of condemnation from the Government were no longer sufficient and called for measures and sanctions to prevent similar incidents.

“Unacceptable, shameful and deserving of every condemnation is the behaviour of some Torcida supporters in Split,” Milanović said.

“Chants and actions that openly glorify the Nazi and Ustaše regimes require an urgent and systematic response from the Croatian police, the State Attorney’s Office and ultimately the courts.

“I call on all competent institutions to approach the investigation of this shameful incident with the utmost seriousness so that something like this does not happen again.

“Words of condemnation such as those we are hearing from the Government are no longer enough; measures and sanctions are necessary to show that there is no place in Croatia for the glorification of Nazism and Ustašism.

“Supporters who love and respect their football club must not be held hostage by a minority that brings shame not only on Torcida and Hajduk, but also on Croatia.”

Police investigating incident

The president’s statement follows an incident during a gathering of Hajduk Split supporters ahead of the club’s UEFA Conference League match against Ajax in Split on Thursday, 15 October.

Reports said some supporters chanted antisemitic slogans and made references to Adolf Hitler and Auschwitz during the procession.

Police in Split have been reviewing footage from the gathering and working to identify those suspected of involvement. Investigators are cooperating with the State Attorney’s Office to determine whether criminal offences were committed.

It was reported that authorities are examining possible offences under Article 325 of the Criminal Code, which covers public incitement to violence or hatred and carries a potential prison sentence of up to three years.

No conviction has been established, and the investigation is continuing.

Government condemns chants

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković condemned the incident, describing the messages as antisemitic and calling for those responsible to be identified and prosecuted.

The Croatian Government also denounced the chants, describing the glorification of the Nazi regime as unacceptable and saying such behaviour negated the values of sport and modern Croatia.

The Embassy of Israel in Zagreb said it was deeply shocked by the incident and called for unequivocal condemnation by the relevant authorities at every level.

The embassy also thanked the Croatian Government and Sara Lustig, the Prime Minister’s special adviser on Holocaust issues, for their response, expressing confidence that the authorities would act quickly.

Milanović’s statement adds to calls for the investigation to establish who was involved and whether criminal proceedings should follow.