POLICE SEEK 15 PEOPLE OVER ANTISEMITIC SLOGANS IN SPLIT

ZAGREB, OCTOBER 19 /SRNA/ – Croatian Interior Minister Davor Božinović said police were searching for 15 of the 23 people reported over antisemitic chants and insults in Split.

Commenting on the publication of photographs of some fans, Božinović noted that the images did not show those already in custody or those who had surrendered to police, but only those still at large. "Police always publish photographs when someone is evading the authorities or is in hiding," Božinović said, adding that eight people were in custody. He said some of those reported were repeat offenders, with a combined record of 212 criminal offenses and 436 misdemeanors. Ahead of last week's match between Hajduk Split and Ajax, groups of Hajduk fans marched through the city chanting slogans including "Crush, crush the Jews," "Auschwitz, Auschwitz" and "Rise up, Adolf!" Božinović also said police had launched an investigation into threats and intimidation directed at journalists who reported on the conduct and chants of some members of the Torcida supporters' group ahead of the Hajduk-Ajax match. Croatian Tourism and Sports Minister Tonči Glavina said there was no place for hatred or violence in sport, Croatian media reported. Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković said greater objectivity was needed in discussions about the situation in Croatia.