JUDGE REJECTS PRETRIAL DETENTION FOR MINOR OVER NAZI SLOGANS

SPLIT, OCTOBER 19 /SRNA/ – A judge has refused to order pretrial detention for a minor suspected of publicly inciting violence and hatred ahead of the football match between Hajduk Split and Ajax in Split, where Nazi and antisemitic chants were heard.

The judge barred the minor from attending Hajduk matches, Croatian news portal Index reported. Prosecutors are seeking pretrial detention for eight other suspects over Nazi and antisemitic chants ahead of the October 15 match. On October 15, Hajduk fans marched in an organized group through the streets of Split before the match against Ajax, chanting Nazi and antisemitic slogans, including "Rise up, Adolf!", "Auschwitz, Auschwitz!" and "Crush, crush the Jews!" They also sang lyrics about the burning of Jews in concentration camps. Police have so far established reasonable suspicion that a total of 23 people committed the criminal offense of publicly inciting violence and hatred. Six are in pretrial detention, while eight from the first group are at large. A new criminal complaint has been filed against another eight suspects, and a separate complaint has been filed against the minor.