Croatian police arrest Hajduk Split fans over Hitler and Auschwitz chants

Photo: Zagreb police

The police in the Croatian town of Split are investigating incidents that took place before a football match between the local club Hajduk and Ajax from Amsterdam, and arrests have already started because of the home fans' (known as "Torcida") anti-Jewish chants.

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According to available information, the police have identified at least ten people who are suspected of shouting hateful messages and mentioning Adolf Hitler and Auschwitz during yesterday's march of Hajduk fans.

Among the identified persons there are also several members of "Torcida" who are already known to the police, and criminal proceedings will be conducted against them.

They are suspected of the criminal offense of public incitement to violence and hatred towards a certain group or its members, for which, if found guilty, the Croatian Criminal Code stipulates a prison sentence of up to three years.

The law foresees stricter penalties if this concerns organizing or leading a group of at least three people with the aim of public incitement to hatred. In that case, a prison sentence is six months to five years, while the participant of such a group could serve up to one year in prison.

The same article of the law covers public approval or denial of genocide, crimes of aggression, crimes against humanity or war crimes, under the conditions prescribed by law. A prison sentence of up to three years is envisaged for such a crime.

In addition to the current arrests because of hate speech, the police detained at least five people on Thursday on suspicion that they participated in a mass brawl with Ajax fans on the Split seafront. They are suspected of the crime of coercion against an official person.

After questioning before the deputy state prosecutor in Split, the suspects will most likely be brought before the investigating judge, with a proposal for pre-trial detention.

The criminal offense of coercion against an official is punishable by imprisonment ranging from six months to five years.

(Telegraf.rs)