Croatia’s war veterans protest against Bosnia war crimes arrest

Reuters/Zagreb

A Croatian officer in riot gear arrests a protester during a demonstration of war veterans, students, peasants and workers

More than 10,000 demonstrators called on the Croatian government yesterday to protect war veterans after a Croat was arrested in Bosnia on charges of war crimes and could be extradited to Serbia.

At the end of the rally, a group of mainly young protesters threw bottles and stones at police officers and police said 58 people were arrested.

A Reuters cameraman said the clashes took place in the narrow streets surrounding the main square of the capital, Zagreb.

Police said 33 people were injured, 21 of them police officers.

They said about 1,000 young people attacked the police.

"The war veterans were not involved in these clashes”, a spokeswoman said.

The protesters at the rally carried Croatian flags and banners which said: "Stop the prosecution of Croatian defenders.”

Mario Slavicek, one of the organisers, told protesters: "We were not dying for our country to be prosecuted now, and our workers, peasants and fishermen to have a life without dignity.”

Tihomir Purda was arrested in Bosnia last month. Serbia has requested his extradition to try him for alleged war crimes during the Balkan wars between 1991 and 1995.

Purda denies any wrongdoing and told the judges in Bosnia his confession in Serbia was made under torture. A final ruling on Serbia’s request is pending.

The war veterans form a solid base of support for the HDZ party which leads the conservative government.

Croatia is due to hold a general election in late 2011 or early 2012 and the government hopes to conclude European Union entry talks before then.

Two days ago police also clashed with a group of mainly young protesters in Zagreb. They called on the government to resign, saying it was corrupt and unable to solve Croatia’s serious economic problems.

About a dozen people were arrested at that demonstration. The organisers announced a new protest for today.

Croatia is struggling to overcome a severe economic crisis and restore growth after two years of recession. Unemployment is at an eight-year high, close to 20%.

Political analyst Davor Gjenero said there was a widespread perception that the government had failed to deal with social problems quickly and effectively.

"The protests are no surprise, but they are also risky as they can destabilise society which is not something Croatia needs,” he said.