Court in Slunj: Thompson did not disturb public order and peace with “Za dom spremni" shout

In a first instance ruling by the Misdemeanor Court in Slunj, singer Marko Perković Thompson has been acquitted of charges that he disturbed public order and peace when while performing his song “Bojna Čavoglave” or “Čavoglave Battalion” at celebrations marking the anniversary of the Storm liberation operation in Slunj last year, he shouted “Za Dom Spremni” or “For Homeland Ready.” The ruling says that he did not incite hate on the basis of nationality or religious affiliation.

In the explanation of the ruling, judge Nada Turkalj said that in performing the song with the greeting “Za dom Spremni” Thompson did not incite hate on the basis of nationality or religious affiliation, even though the greeting was used officially by the totalitarian regime of the Independent State of Croatia and its fascist ideology. She said that it was not proven that Perković disturbed public order and peace at the concert celebrating Victory Day, the Day of Homeland Gratitude and Croatian Veterans’ Day, or the 22nd anniversary of the military-police operation Storm and the Day of the City of Slunj, because the text in the performed song, “Bojna Čavoglave” was the same as that which was recorded for distribution at Croatia Records.

There was not a single person in attendance from the official prosecutor or the Slunj Police Station, neither at today’s ruling nor at any hearings where evidence was presented. No one announced an appeal and the judge said that the deadline for filing an eventual appeal is eight days.  

Source: HRT