Croats gather in Austria for controversial commemoration

By: The Associated Press

Saturday, May 12, 2018 7:45 AM

BLEIBURG, Austria (AP) Thousands of Croatian far-right supporters have gathered in a field in southern Austria to commemorate the massacre of pro-Nazi Croats by victorious communists at the end of World War II.

The controversial annual event was held Saturday amid a surge of far-right sentiment in Croatia, the European Union's newest member. For Croatian nationalists, the Bleiburg site symbolizes their suffering under communism in Yugoslavia before they fought a war for independence in the 1990s.

Tens of thousands of Croatians, mostly pro-fascist soldiers, fled to Bleiburg in May 1945 amid a Yugoslav army offensive, only to be turned back from Austria by the British military and into the hands of revengeful anti-fascists. Thousands were killed and buried in mass graves in and around Bleiburg.

Croats gather in Austria for controversial commemoration

A uniformed man carries a Croatian flag during a commemoration ceremony in Bleiburg, Austria, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Thousands of Croatian far-right supporters have gathered in a field in southern Austria to commemorate the massacre of pro-Nazis by victorious communists at the end of World War II. The controversial annual event was held Saturday amid a surge of far-right sentiments in Croatia, the European Union's newest member. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

The Associated Press

A Croatian war veteran hold his unit's flag which he was prevented to bring to a commemoration ceremony, in Bleiburg, Austria, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Thousands of Croatian far-right supporters have gathered in a field in southern Austria to commemorate the massacre of pro-Nazis by victorious communists at the end of World War II. The controversial annual event was held Saturday amid a surge of far-right sentiments in Croatia, the European Union's newest member. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

The Associated Press

A man holds Croatian flag as a couple embraces at the memorial site in Bleiburg, Austria, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Thousands of Croatian far-right supporters have gathered in a field in southern Austria to commemorate the massacre of pro-Nazis by victorious communists at the end of World War II. The controversial annual event was held Saturday amid a surge of far-right sentiments in Croatia, the European Union's newest member. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

The Associated Press

A mourner holds a crucifix during a commemoration ceremony in Bleiburg, Austria, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Thousands of Croatian far-right supporters have gathered in a field in southern Austria to commemorate the massacre of pro-Nazis by victorious communists at the end of World War II. The controversial annual event was held Saturday amid a surge of far-right sentiments in Croatia, the European Union's newest member. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

The Associated Press

Mourners from Croatia gather at the memorial site in Bleiburg, Austria, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Thousands of Croatian far-right supporters have gathered in a field in southern Austria to commemorate the massacre of pro-Nazis by victorious communists at the end of World War II. The controversial annual event was held Saturday amid a surge of far-right sentiments in Croatia, the European Union's newest member. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

The Associated Press

Croatian war veterans hold their wartime unit's flags which they were prevented to bring to a commemoration ceremony, in Bleiburg, Austria, Saturday, May 12, 2018. Thousands of Croatian far-right supporters have gathered in a field in southern Austria to commemorate the massacre of pro-Nazis by victorious communists at the end of World War II. The controversial annual event was held Saturday amid a surge of far-right sentiments in Croatia, the European Union's newest member. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

The Associated Press