A plaque commemorating the First Split Partisan Detachment in Split was vandalised on Saturday, sparking outrage among local anti-fascist associations.

“Vandals, so-called Croatian patriots, almost every year ahead of the day of commemorating the execution (26 August 1941) once again “execute” fighters who, led by their ideals of freedom joined the national liberating anti-fascist war and even refer to them as Partisan crimes. Their impoverished spirits probably think that by smashing monuments they will change history,” a press release signed by the heads of the Association of Anti-Fascists and Anti-Fascist Fighters of Split and the Association of Homeland War Veterans and Anti-Fascists said.

The plaque which commemorates those who died resisting the Italian occupation in WWII and which was unveiled in 1981 carries the following insignia:

“Driven by the dream of freedom for this place on 11 August 1941 the First Split Detachment embarked on the Partisan battle. Patriotic Split will never forget them.”

The plaque has throughout previous years also been vandalised with swastikas and Croatian nationalist symbols.