Ostojic on Torcida: 'There is nothing to negotiate with them'
Ranko Ostojić, a prominent figure in Croatia, commented on the recent incidents involving Torcida, a football hooligan group, during an interview with RTL Direkt. He criticized the group's behavior, stating that they have reached a low point and that those responsible should now face consequences. Ostojić praised the police for their handling of separating Ajax and Hajduk fans but warned that if Torcida had entered the procession and attempted to prevent the march due to chants, serious unrest could have occurred. He expressed frustration with the police chief's emotional statement about being unable to communicate with Torcida, emphasizing that there is nothing to negotiate with them. Ostojić suggested that the incident was a message to Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Mayor Miroslav Šuti regarding dissatisfaction with the stadium at Poljud. He argued that Torcida's actions go beyond football and involve other interests, and he concluded that resolving the issue requires faster and harsher judicial decisions rather than improved police work.
A former minister of internal affairs, Ranko Ostojić, criticized the police for not intervening during a Nazi chant by members of the Torcida football fan group in Split, arguing that such action could have led to serious unrest. In an interview with RTL Direkt's Mojmira Pastorčić, Ostojić praised the Split police's handling of the situation but sharply criticized the police chief and judiciary for their approach toward hooligans. He warned that among the 23 individuals reported for involvement in the incident, there were 424 total criminal offenses and violations recorded. Ostojić dismissed criticism that the Split police should have immediately intervened when the chanting began, stating that such a decision would have caused violence and endangered safety. He explained that instead of entering the procession and trying to prevent the chants at that moment, the police opted for a better strategy, recording everything and preparing to report the perpetrators later. He commended Marko Srdarević, the head of the Split police, whom he had worked with when he was a minister, noting that the police successfully separated Ajax and Hajduk fans several days before the incident. The real issue, according to Ostojić, is not the police's response but the fact that many of the perpetrators of previous incidents have never faced consequences. Among the 23 individuals reported, there are 424 criminal records and violations. Some have not even been charged yet, let alone received sanctions for their past behavior. This lack of punishment gives hooligans a sense that they can act violently without repercussions. Such behavior, he emphasized, is not new, and many participants in these incidents are already known to the police. Ostojić specifically criticized the police chief, stating that it is unacceptable for him to cry on television about how Torcida will not communicate with them. He argued that there is nothing to negotiate with Torcida, given their history of causing disturbances. He noted that this incident was predictable, considering all that Torcida has done so far. Ostojić rejected comments suggesting the police should not have released photos of the individuals being sought, adding that the bigger issue is that those who write about the incident suddenly find themselves on the run. These are people who, according to Ostojić, should remain silent and close their eyes, just as they always have, to avoid seeing what happens and what is done. He agreed with the claim that Torcida orchestrated the incident as a message to Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Mayor Mato Šuti, expressing dissatisfaction over the stadium at Poljud. He stated that Torcida is not merely a football club but also has interests in other areas. Ostojić reiterated his belief that the key to resolving issues with hooligans lies not in better police work but in faster and harsher judicial decisions and penalties. He concluded by emphasizing that the police certainly knew about the event and had information regarding it. Had the group remained within the bounds of regular behavior, which has become common, neither Plenković nor anyone else would have reacted. However, the situation changed when they raised Hitler and shouted against Jews. Now, the problem has emerged, and Ostojić believes it is positive that the bottom has finally been reached, showing what is prepared to be done. All of this is not unknown.
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Former Minister of Internal Affairs Ranko Ostojić criticized the police for not intervening during a Nazi salute by members of the Torcida group in Split, arguing that such an intervention would have caused serious unrest. He praised the Split police's handling of the situation but sharply criticized the police chief and judiciary for their lenient approach toward hooligans. Ostojić highlighted that among the 23 individuals reported for the incident, there were a total of 424 previous convictions and offenses. He warned that the lack of consequences for past misconduct emboldens hooligans to repeat violent behavior. Ostojić emphasized that Torcida cannot be treated as an organization with which the state should negotiate.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the failure to intervene against Nazi salutes as a failure of law enforcement and highlights systemic issues with the justice system's treatment of hooligans. The tone criticizes authorities for being too lenient and implies that the state should take a firmer stance against such
Why factuality (97): This article closely follows the original RTL Direkt interview transcript, accurately representing Ostojić’s statements regarding the police’s decision-making process, the number of offenses committed by individuals involved, and his criticism of the justice system. No significant inaccuracies or om
Why objectivity (80): While the article reports Ostojić’s statements objectively, it includes some interpretive phrasing such as 'oštro kritizirao ravnatelja policije' (strongly criticized the police chief), which may imply a bias toward Ostojić’s viewpoint rather than presenting both sides equally.
tportalIndependentConservativeFactual 96Objective 825 hr. ago
Ranko Ostojić, a prominent figure in Croatia, commented on the recent incidents involving Torcida, a football hooligan group, during an interview with RTL Direkt. He criticized the group's behavior, stating that they have reached a low point and that those responsible should now face consequences. Ostojić praised the police for their handling of separating Ajax and Hajduk fans but warned that if Torcida had entered the procession and attempted to prevent the march due to chants, serious unrest could have occurred. He expressed frustration with the police chief's emotional statement about being unable to communicate with Torcida, emphasizing that there is nothing to negotiate with them. Ostojić suggested that the incident was a message to Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Mayor Miroslav Šuti regarding dissatisfaction with the stadium at Poljud. He argued that Torcida's actions go beyond football and involve other interests, and he concluded that resolving the issue requires faster and harsher judicial decisions rather than improved police work.
Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the situation with strong criticism towards Torcida, portraying them as unacceptable and advocating for stricter legal measures against them. The tone emphasizes the need for harsh judicial action and criticizes the police chief's approach, suggesting a clear ideological stance on
Why factuality (96): The article faithfully reproduces Ostojić’s remarks from the RTL Direkt interview, including his comments on the police’s handling of the situation, the need for accountability, and the nature of Torcida’s actions. The content aligns directly with the primary source material.
Why objectivity (82): The article maintains a relatively neutral tone while quoting Ostojić, but it occasionally emphasizes certain aspects of his statements, such as his assertion that 'S njima se nema što pregovarati' (there is nothing to negotiate with them), which might subtly favor his perspective over others.
Net.hrIndependentConservativeFactual 95Objective 8513 hr. ago
Ranko Ostojić, former Minister of Internal Affairs, discusses the recent incidents involving nationalist chants by fans of the football club Torcida during a match between Hajduk and Ajax. He criticizes the police for not taking immediate action against these chants, which included references to Anne Frank, but acknowledges their decision to avoid escalating tensions. Ostojić argues that the police made the correct choice by preparing evidence and being ready to report those responsible rather than intervening directly. He highlights the lack of legal consequences for past misconduct by Torcida members and suggests that this lack of accountability has emboldened them. Ostojić also defends the police's decision to publish photos of individuals they are investigating, stating it was necessary for the investigation and not intended to incite mob violence.
Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the situation through the perspective of a former high-ranking official who criticizes law enforcement for perceived inaction and emphasizes the need for stronger measures against hooliganism. The tone implies that the police were too lenient and that there is a need for stricter,
Why factuality (95): The article accurately quotes Ranko Ostojić’s statements from the RTL Direkt interview, including his views on the police response, the nature of the incident, and the legal consequences for those involved. It does not add any external information beyond what was said in the primary source document.
Why objectivity (85): The article presents Ostojić’s comments in a largely neutral manner, though it uses phrases like 'sramota' (shame) and frames the incident as a 'good event' because it exposed wrongdoing. This slight framing could be seen as mildly opinionated but remains within the bounds of reporting the speaker’s
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