09 June 2008 Zagreb _ Croatian police have detained a reporter for wearing a cap with a symbol of the Ustasha regime, in what the journalist claims is 'double-standards.' Croatian Television reporter Matija Vuksic, said he was wearing the cap with a symbol of the Ustasha, the name of Croatia's Second World War-era pro-Nazi regime, not out of conviction but for a investigation into how sporting fascist and communist symbols is seen in Croatian society. First, he recorded citizens' reactions to his cap with the letter "U" on it, using a hidden camera in Zagreb's Ban Jelacic Square and then set out for the first police station. He approached two police officers, who did not take their time to react. They detained him three hours, after which he left the station, charged with disturbing the public peace and order. "Nobody was apprehended in last Friday at Thompson's concert for sporting Ustasha symbols and all the things they shouted, like: "Kill the Serb!," complained Vuksic. The police said there were no Ustasha symbols at the concert.
Croatian Television reporter Matija Vuksic, said he was wearing the cap with a symbol of the Ustasha, the name of Croatia's Second World War-era pro-Nazi regime, not out of conviction but for a investigation into how sporting fascist and communist symbols is seen in Croatian society.
First, he recorded citizens' reactions to his cap with the letter "U" on it, using a hidden camera in Zagreb's Ban Jelacic Square and then set out for the first police station. He approached two police officers, who did not take their time to react.
They detained him three hours, after which he left the station, charged with disturbing the public peace and order.
"Nobody was apprehended in last Friday at Thompson's concert for sporting Ustasha symbols and all the things they shouted, like: "Kill the Serb!," complained Vuksic.
The police said there were no Ustasha symbols at the concert.
03 June 2008 Zagreb _ Croatia's Prime Minister has hit out at the display of symbols dating back to Croatia's World War Two-era Nazi regime at a rock concert. "What is happening is wrong. The Ustasha (the name of Croatia's 1941-1945 pro-Nazi regime) symbols have to be condemned. That regime doesn't deserve to be worshipped in Croatia," Ivo Sanader was quoted as saying by Zagreb's Jutarnji List daily. "The fact that all this is linked to this singer is regrettable. He should engage himself in an action to end all that," Sanader said. Zagreb's decision to host a concert by Marko Perkovic, known by his stage name `Thompson', who has often identified with the country's Ustasha regime, angered the right group, the Margel Institute enough for its head to seek his prosecution. "We will file a lawsuit against singer Marko Perkovic Thompson and the city of Zagreb over several violations of the law banning discrimination and hatred," Alen Budaj said. Some 60,000 people attended the concert on Saturday in Zagreb's main square, organised by veterans of Croatia's 1991-1995 war of independence from the former Yugoslavia. The Croatian branch of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights issued a complaint ahead of the concert, notably over a song that starts with a verse used during the pro-Nazi regime. According to Mr Budaj, the symbols of the Ustasha regime were displayed during the concert by several youngsters, who were also using Nazi salute.
"What is happening is wrong. The Ustasha (the name of Croatia's 1941-1945 pro-Nazi regime) symbols have to be condemned. That regime doesn't deserve to be worshipped in Croatia," Ivo Sanader was quoted as saying by Zagreb's Jutarnji List daily.
"The fact that all this is linked to this singer is regrettable. He should engage himself in an action to end all that," Sanader said.
Zagreb's decision to host a concert by Marko Perkovic, known by his stage name `Thompson', who has often identified with the country's Ustasha regime, angered the right group, the Margel Institute enough for its head to seek his prosecution.
"We will file a lawsuit against singer Marko Perkovic Thompson and the city of Zagreb over several violations of the law banning discrimination and hatred," Alen Budaj said.
Some 60,000 people attended the concert on Saturday in Zagreb's main square, organised by veterans of Croatia's 1991-1995 war of independence from the former Yugoslavia.
The Croatian branch of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights issued a complaint ahead of the concert, notably over a song that starts with a verse used during the pro-Nazi regime.
According to Mr Budaj, the symbols of the Ustasha regime were displayed during the concert by several youngsters, who were also using Nazi salute.
