Ivan Penava seeks funding for post-WWII victims' memorial park

Ivan Penava, head of the Commission for Determining the Fate of Victims of Crimes Committed After World War II, is seeking the establishment of a new public institution to manage a memorial park for victims of the communist regime. The proposal, presented to Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, includes requesting tens of millions of euros in the 2027 state budget.

The proposed institution would oversee the construction of a memorial center, potentially located in Macelj or Udbina, and would be responsible for collecting archival and museum materials. Additionally, the institution is intended to support scientific research into post-war crimes.

A key component of the plan involves the exhumation and reburial of remains from the Tezno mass grave near Maribor, Slovenia. Penava has reportedly discussed the Tezno site with Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša, with estimates suggesting approximately 15,000 soldiers may be interred there.