Serbia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacts to Ustasa messages at the reception for Croatian handball players in Zagreb

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia expressed serious concern over what it described as the increasingly frequent display of symbols and messages linked to ideologies from the Second World War, as well as the appearance of anti-Serb graffiti in Croatia, including in Zagreb.

03.02.2026. 11:15

Serbia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacts to Ustasa messages at the reception for Croatian handball players in Zagreb
Foto:Tanjug/HINA/ Lana Slivar Dominić

The reaction followed the reception for Croatian handball players held at Ban Jelacic Square, organized by the Croatian government, where the singer Marko Perkovic Thompson performed.

According to the statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, symbols such as flags featuring the first white square on the Croatian checkerboard and scarves bearing the Ustasa salute "Za dom spremni" ("Ready for the Homeland") were present among the crowd.

The Ministry emphasized that public events should not serve as a space for spreading hatred, historical revisionism, and intolerance, but rather as an opportunity to promote tolerance and mutual respect.

It was also noted that lasting stability in the region can only be built through responsible dialogue and respect for a complex shared history, with particular responsibility resting on Croatia as a member of the European Union.

The Croatian government decided to take over the organization of the reception during a telephone session, even though the Zagreb city authorities had previously banned Thompson’s performances in public spaces due to the use of the Ustasa salute in his songs. Croatian President Zoran Milanovic assessed such a reception as unconstitutional and unlawful.

The Croatian Handball Federation had earlier canceled a reception organized by the City of Zagreb because the city authorities did not accept the players’ request for Thompson to perform at the event.

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