Croatian President Revokes War Decorations from Convicted Official

Croatian President Zoran Milanović has decided to revoke seven war decorations previously awarded to Branimir Glavaš by former President Franjo Tuđman. The decision comes after Glavaš's war crimes conviction, for which he received a seven-year prison sentence, became final. The revoked honors include the Order of Prince Trpimir with a necklace and star, the Order of Prince Domagoj with a necklace, the Order of Ban Jelačić, the Order of Ante Starčević, the Order of the Croatian Trikolor, the Homeland War Commemorative Medal, and the Homeland Gratitude Commemorative Medal.

These decorations were first revoked from Glavaš by former Croatian President Ivo Josipović in 2010, following his initial final conviction for war crimes committed in Osijek in 1991. However, Milanović returned the decorations to Glavaš in 2021 after Croatia's Constitutional Court annulled the previous verdict against him. At the time of returning the medals, Milanović stated he would have no choice but to revoke them again if Glavaš were to be convicted anew, a sentiment he suggested Glavaš understood.

Glavaš, however, has expressed his belief that presidents should not contest the decisions of their predecessors. He argued that the decorations for his participation in Croatia's defense were awarded by President Tuđman, who was authorized to do so and understood the reasons behind the bestowal. Glavaš maintains that these awards should not be challenged by subsequent presidents.