The president of the Serb National Council and Member of Parliament sharply criticized the events marking the 31st anniversary of Operation Storm, calling them a threat to democracy and urging the judiciary to respond more decisively.
The president of the Serb National Council and Member of Parliament, Milorad Pupovac, called an emergency press conference on Friday, August 7, 2026, where he vehemently condemned the way the 31st anniversary of the military-police operation Storm was commemorated. He described the messages and scenes that could be heard and seen in Knin as a direct attack on the fundamental values of the Croatian Constitution and the democratic order.
Pupovac argued that this year's commemoration was not a celebration of victory but a manifestation of hatred that threatens the very foundations of the state. "What could be heard on the main street of Knin and in one of the prominent restaurants near Knin, we have heard in previous years as well, but what we heard two days ago is truly horrifying," Pupovac stated.
In his sharp condemnation, the MP said that what was seen and said does not pose a threat only to one minority community but to the entire society. "In my opinion, this is an attack on every freedom-loving and free-thinking citizen of the Republic of Croatia, on every veteran of this country, their descendants, and it is an attack on democracy," Pupovac said.
He particularly emphasized that it is unacceptable to glorify a criminal regime on a day of exceptional importance for Croatia. "It is allowed to glorify a criminal regime such as the NDH on a day that is important and extremely important for the Republic of Croatia, for its citizens, but also for the countries that make up Croatia's neighborhood," he pointed out, adding that such behavior has nothing to do with patriotism because hatred is incompatible with patriotism.
Pupovac placed part of the responsibility for the atmosphere in which, as he claims, violence is incited, on the institutions whose duty is to protect the constitutional order. "Many whose duty is to preserve the constitutional order of the Republic of Croatia are not taking the actions they should," he said, specifically referring to judicial proceedings.
He referred to earlier cases and expressed concern about court decisions. "Some of these people in the Torcida and Skeja marches were acquitted of responsibility, whether for shouting or inciting violence and hatred. They have been encouraged to do it again, and why the courts do this is concerning," Pupovac said, calling on institutions to react more decisively so that similar incidents do not recur.
He concluded that these are not isolated outbursts but a systemic problem threatening the Croatia that, as he noted, its citizens have built. "This is not democracy; this is a vicious attack on democracy," concluded the leader of the Serb National Council.
