Terrorism in Yugoslavia
This article includes information on terrorist acts and groups in or against the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (1918–45) and Federal Yugoslavia (1945–92). Many of the terrorist acts were carried out outside Yugoslavia against Yugoslav subjects.
The post-war period until circa 1985 was marked by frequent terrorist attacks on Yugoslav institutions organized by extremist emigrant organizations. In that period, 20 Yugoslav ambassadors and officials were killed abroad. 22 instances of terrorist groups entering Yugoslavia were recorded, 87 mine and bomb explosions, and 13 cases of arson (including also abroad, mainly in embassies and diaspora clubs). Also, 62 cases of armed and physical attacks on Yugoslav institutions and citizens in which there were no casualties were recorded. Four plane hijackings by Yugoslav emigrants. Perpetrators were predominantly Croat fascists (Ustaše). According to Yugoslav government data, between 1945 and September 1985 there were 657 anti-Yugoslav terrorist acts abroad carried out by 'enemy' emigre, in which 82 Yugoslavs (and three foreigners) were killed, and 186 Yugoslavs (and two foreigners) were wounded. In Yugoslavia, more than 40 terrorist acts were carried out, and 60 attempted, in which 30 were killed and 73 wounded. Notably, in Australia, where two Croat extremist organizations (HRB and HOP) were active, 33 anti-Yugoslav acts were carried out, while three were carried out in Yugoslavia.
Socialist Yugoslavia
Ustashe terrorism
Ustashe terrorism continued over the years after Ante Pavelić's death. The Croatian Liberation Movement (HOP) conducted several assassinations and attacks on Yugoslav diplomacy and JAT representations in Australia.[1] Croat fascist and HOS member Miljenko Hrkać carried out the bombing of a Belgrade cinema in September 1968, leaving one dead and 85 wounded.[2] In 1969, two Yugoslav diplomats in Western Germany were shot and wounded by Ustashe assassins.[2] In 1970, Yugoslav secretary Vladimir Rolović handed over information on Ustashe and their involvement in terrorist actions to the Australian government (which had tolerated and even trained the Ustashe).[3] The following year, two Ustashe youngsters murdered Rolović while he was the ambassador to Sweden.[3] In January 1972, a JAT plane was bombed by Ustashe agents.[3] The crackdown on the Croatian leadership led to heightened anti-Yugoslav activity by Croat emigrant groups. On 29 March 1972 a Yugoslav tourist office was bombed in Stockholm.[4] The last members of the Bugojno group were captured, tried and sentenced on 21 December 1972.
Events
Kingdom of Yugoslavia (1918–41)
- Assassination of Alexander I of Yugoslavia, 9 October 1934, by IMRO assassin, organized with Ustashe help.
Federal Yugoslavia (1945–92)
- Murder of Yugoslav consul Vicko Glumcic in Naples, 1946, allegedly by Chetnik emigrants.
- Arrest of Croat terrorist group, 1947, a group of at least 85, led by Ustashe Božidar Kavran and Ljubo Miloš, illegally entered Yugoslavia, then arrested and all sentenced in 1948 to death or long prison sentences.
- Arson of Yugoslav agency for information in Paris, 1957, material damage of 15 million francs, by Ravna Gora Organization members.
- Physical assaults of guests on the Republic Day reception at the Yugoslav Embassy in Toronto, and bomb with ammonia thrown into cinema of Yugoslav citizens, 1960.
- Shootout, 1961, two Chetnik terrorists, Novo Medenica and Boško Benek, entered Yugoslavia but were killed in a shootout with police.
- Grenade attack on Yugoslav diplomatic mission in Sydney, early 1961, by Ustashe.
- Attack on Yugoslav embassy, 29 November (National Day) 1962, Momčilo Popović killed and Stane Dovganc wounded, by Ustashe "Crusaders". Perpetrators arrested and sentenced.
- Arrest of nine HRB members, 21 July 1963, a group of nine (Dražen Tapasnji, Miro Fumić, Stanko Zdrilić, Kresimir Perković, Vlado Leko, Rade Stajić, Branko Podrug, Ilija Tolić and Josip Oblak) entered Yugoslavia on 6 July, from Australia, were arrested while placing mines on the Rijeka–Zagreb rail track. Each were given 7–14 years sentences.
- Arrest and sentence of Slovene anti-communist Janez Toplisek in Maribor, 1963.
- Raid on the Yugoslavs' Club in Paris, 1966, by HRB.
- Assassination attempt on Yugoslav ambassador to Germany, 1966, by HRB.
- Assassination of superintendent Savo Milanović in Yugoslav embassy in Stuttgart, 1966, by HRB member Franjo Goreta. Arrested and sentenced to 8 years.
- Synchronized mine explosions on six Yugoslav diplomacy offices in the US and Canada, 29 January 1967, by Chetnik emigrants.
- Sabotage attempt on the Zagreb-Rijeka transmission line and railway, 1967, by HRB.
- Plot to assassinate Josip Broz Tito, 1967, by HRB.
- Mine explosion at the Yugoslav general consulate in Melbourne, Australia, 29 November (National Day) 1967, one wounded, by HRB
- Arrest of Croat Mate Kovačić, 29 December 1967, arrested while placing explosives in the Yugoslav consulate in Sydney, Australia
- Mine at the Yugoslav general consulate in Sydney found, 8 June 1968, perpatrators unidentified.
- Planning of bomb attacks on planes, buses and trains in order to disturb tourism in Yugoslavia, 1968, by HRB.
- Raid on a bar in Schveningen, Netherlands, where Yugoslav consul organized Embassy Days, by HRB.
- Mine explosions at Belgrade train station, 23 May 1968, two mines exploded and wounded 14. HRB member Ivan Jelic was sentenced to death.
- Belgrade cinema bombing, 13 July 1968, at 21.05 CET, a bomb detonated in the Belgrade cinema "20. oktobar". One person was killed and 85 injured, some seriously. The bomb was placed under the sixth seat of the 16th row, during the movie Risifi u Panami, allegedly by HOP and HRB member Miljenko Hrkać.
- Belgrade rail station bombing, 25 September 1968, three explosives were detonated in the Belgrade rail station garderobe, leaving 13 people injured, by Ustashe.
- Bomb explosion at the Yugoslav embassy in Camberra, 8 June 1969, by Ustashe.
- Two Yugoslav diplomats, one the Chief of the Yugoslav Military Mission in Western Germany, were shot and wounded in Berlin by HRB assassins, 1969.
- Assassination attempt of the Yugoslav vice-consul in Lyon, 1969, by HRB.
- Bombing of diaspora club "Jugal" in Sydney, 1 January 1970, by Ustashe.
- Bombing outside Yugoslav consulate in Melbourne, 21 October 1970, serious material damage, by Ustashe.
- Bombing of travel agency "Adrijatik" in Sydney, 23 November 1971, 16 wounded, by Croat Andjelko Marić.
- Mine explosion at "Hub" cinema in Camberra, 29 November 1971, while showing a Yugoslav film, no casualties, by Ustashe.
- Assassination of ambassador Vladimir Rolović in Stockholm, Sweden, 7 April 1971, another clerk wounded, by HNO members Miro Barešić, Anđelko Brajković and Ante Stojanov. Arrested and sentenced in Sweden.
- JAT Flight 367, 26 January 1972, bomb exploded during flight, 27 out of 28 dead (Vesna Vulović survived), by Ustashe.
- Shooting at the Yugoslav consulate in Perth, 14 February 1972, by Ustashe.
- Arson attempt at Yugoslav cultural exhibition stand and bomb explosion outside the home of the Yugoslav diaspora community president, in Melbourne, 6-7 April 1972, by Ustashe.
- Bugojno group attacks, 20 June–24 July 1972, by HRB.
- Mine explosion at a Yugoslav emigrant shop in Sydney, 16 September 1972, 18 wounded and damage to neighbouring agency "Adriatik", by Ustashe.
- Bomb explosion outside Orthodox church in Brisbaine, 8 December 1972, an American citizen killed, by Ustashe.
- Murder of Mehmed Bekteš in Melbourne, beginning of 1973, victim murdered after refusing to cooperate with Ustashe.
- Explosion at the Belgrade train station cloakroom, 1973, one dead and 8 wounded.
- Murder of policeman Milan Vucinic on the Velebit, 1974, by HRB members illegally entering from Germany.
- Zagreb postage office bombing, 1974, at the 2nd postage office in Zagreb a package sent from Germany with a mine exploded and worker Nikola Pribanic died.
- Mine explosion at agency "Adriatik" in Melbourne, 25 May 1975, by Ustashe.
- Action Kaktus (akcija Kaktus), 1975, a sabotage attempt on tourism, by HRB member Vinko Barušić and German Barbara Placeta, planned to mine objects on the Adriatic. Arrested and sentenced to 20 and 11 years.
- Murder of Yugoslav consul Edvin Zdovec in Frankfurt, 1976.
- Bombing of agency "Adriatik" in Melbourne, 31 May 1976, door and furniture destroyed, by Ustashe.
- Hijacking of TWA Flight 355, September 10 1976, by Ustashe.
- Dortmund-Athens train bombing, 1977, bombing on a train at Trbovlje station, one dead and 8 wounded.
- Smoke bombing of Sydney hall during Yugoslav performing artists' concert, 3 July 1977, by HNO member Josip Stipić.
- Mine explosion outside JAT office in Melbourne, 3 December 1977, by Ustashe.
- Attack on Yugoslav diaspora magazine (Naše novine) editors in Sydney, 18 February 1978, by Ustashe.
- Mine explosion at Yugoslav consulate in Sydney, 17 June 1978, building damaged, by Ustashe.
- Arrest of a Croat terrorist group in Australia, 2 September 1978, Australian police arrested a group of seven (Ante Mišević, Karoman Kovač, Andrija Lemić, Milan Franjić, Nikola Bikes, Ante Sarić and Jure Marić) that planned acts in Yugoslavia.
- Dismantling of a Yugoslav police facility, 14 November 1978, three Croats (Marija Zetina, Jasna Perčić i Krešo Kristić) were arrested and financially penalized.
- Arrest of seven Croat emigrants, 8 February 1979, the arrested had weapons, poison and explosives that they planned to use on attacks on Yugoslav diaspora clubs, "Generalturist" office, and a concert hall at which a Yugoslav singing troupe performed. The arrested (Mile Nekić, Josip Kokotović, Anton Zairović, Josip Stipić, Vrco Birkuz and Marko Bebić) were sentenced to 15 years.
- Terrorist surrender, 19 October 1979, a Croat extremist arrived in Yugoslavia, planning for several terrorist acts, but surrendered to the police.
- New York–Chicago plane hijack, 1979, Boeing 727 with 137 passengers hijacked by Serb emigrant and anti-communist (Chetnik) Nikola Kavaja. Arrested and sentenced to 20 years.
- Shooting outside judge Maxwell's house in Sydney, 21 November 1980, the shooting was made in order to intimidate before the trial of seven Ustashe terrorists.
- Demolition of door of the Chancellery of the secretary of Yugoslav embassy in Camberra, 13 November 1982, by Ustashe.
- Bomb explosion outside economic representative office of Yugoslavia in Melbourne, 29 December 1986, by Ustashe.
- Molotov cocktail thrown at Yugoslav center in Adelaide, 7 July 1988, by Ustashe.
- Demonstrations and attack on the Yugoslav general consulate in Sydney, 27 November 1988, by Ustashe.
- Attacks on Yugoslav club in Melbourne, 27 November 1988, by Ustashe sympathizers and Albanian separatists.
- Attack on president of Yugoslav centre in Adelaide, 8 December 1988, he was attacked and his car was set on fire, by Ustashe.
Groups
- Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organisation (IMRO), est. 1920, Macedonian
- Crusaders, est. 1945, Croat fascist (Ustashe)
- Croatian Liberation Movement (HOP), est. 1956, Croat fascist (Ustashe)
- Croatian National Resistance (HNO), est. 1957, Croat fascist (Ustashe)
- Secret Revolutionary Ustaše Troops (TRUP), est. 1959, Croat fascist (Ustashe)
- Croatian Revolutionary Brotherhood (HRB), est. 1961, Croat fascist (Ustashe)
- Bugojno group, est. 1972 by HRB
- Croatian Crusader Brotherhood
- Third League of Prizren, est. 1962, Albanian irredentist
Notable people
- Miljenko Hrkać, HOP
- Miro Barešić, HNO
- Anđelko Brajković, HNO
References
- ↑ Johnstone 2002, p. 152.
- 1 2 Čubrić 1990, p. 13.
- 1 2 3 West 2012, p. 179.
- ↑ Central Intelligence Bulletin, Central Intelligence Agency. 30 March 1972.
Sources
- Bieber, Florian (2003). "Approaches to political violence and terrorism in former Yugoslavia". Journal of Southern Europe and the Balkans. 5 (1): 39–51.
- Brown, Gregory Scott (2004). "Coping with long-distance nationalism: Inter-ethnic conflict in a diaspora context" (PDF).
- Clissold, Stephen (1979). Croat Separatism: Nationalism, Dissidence, and Terrorism. Institute for the Study of Conflict.
- Cvetković, Srđan (2014). "Terorizam i jugoslovenska politička emigracija". Istorija 20. veka. 2: 171–197.
- Čubrić, Milan (1990). Između noža i križa. Književne novine.
- Johnstone, Diana (2002). Fools' Crusade: Yugoslavia, Nato, and Western Delusions. NYU Press. ISBN 978-1-58367-084-2.
- Sadkovich, James J. (1988). "Terrorism in Croatia, 1929-1934". East European Quarterly. 22 (1): 55–.
- West, Richard (2012). Tito and the Rise and Fall of Yugoslavia. Faber & Faber. ISBN 978-0-571-28110-7.
- Hockenos, Paul (2003). Homeland Calling: Exile Patriotism & the Balkan Wars. Cornell University Press. pp. 62–. ISBN 0-8014-4158-7.
- Smrt je njihov zanat. Politika. 1993.
- Teroristi iz seste kolone. Borba. 1979.
External links
- http://www.kurir.rs/vesti/drustvo/7-najvecih-napada-terorista-u-istoriji-jugoslavije-clanak-1692566. Missing or empty
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