Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic reiterated on Saturday that parliament would sponsor this year's Bleiburg commemoration in Austria, that people were killed there at the end of WWII without a trial, that it had been a crime and a tragedy, and that victims were commemorated there.

Speaking of the Bleiburg commemoration to reporters in Split, he said, that “we have the duty to honour the victims. People were killed there without trial and judgement. It was a crime and a tragedy and everyone must accept this historical truth.”

“Those on the political left too must understand that a crime occurred there. I can’t accept those saying that it was retaliation, that it was acceptable. Defeated troops deserve a trial too. They were killed without a trial. It was a crime and we, as a state, have the duty to commemorate those victims,” he explained.

Jandrokovic said he would like to tell “those on the extreme right who are trying to use that event to downplay the crimes of the Ustasha regime that this is unacceptable and that we condemn it. Bleiburg is the place where we commemorate victims.”

Responding to questions from the press, Jandrokovic said the state would commemorate the WWII victims of the Jasenovac concentration camp this year too, calling on everyone to join in the commemoration together.

Asked if a joint commemoration could be expected at Jasenovac this year, he said that it “would be good, because victims are commemorated there too.”

“Those were also innocent people who were killed because of their nation, religion and political affiliation. It was a grave crime and we, as a state, will observe it appropriately.”

Asked if there would be “one or two processions” at the commemoration, Jandrokovic said that one would be good and invited everyone to understand the historical truth and to honour the victims together.