In a historic move, Croatia will begin repatriating the remains of its WWII victims buried in mass graves across Slovenia — marking a major step in a decades-long push for justice and closure.
Agreement clears way for return of Croatian remains
After years of discussion, a concrete step has finally been taken. Croatia will now be able to receive the remains of its WWII victims executed in Slovenia after the Second World War. The victims include both soldiers and civilians captured at the Bleiburg field and forced into the infamous ‘Death Marches’ (Križni put).
Some of the exhumed remains are already stored at the Dobrava cemetery in Maribor. However, many victims still lie in mass graves across Slovenia, killed by communist forces after the war. A recent bilateral agreement, established under the Treaty on Military Cemeteries and overseen by a joint Croatian–Slovenian commission, now allows Croatia to reclaim its identified victims.
Thousands believed buried in Tezno trench
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Croatian Veterans, Tomo Medved, who led the Croatian delegation, confirmed: “An agreement was reached that the Republic of Croatia will retrieve exhumed remains from mass graves in Slovenia, where it is beyond doubt that they belong to Croatian victims.”
He added that for sites lacking complete information, joint Croatian and Slovenian expert teams will continue exhumation and identification efforts.
One of the largest known sites is in Tezno near Maribor. It was discovered during highway construction and was once an anti-tank trench. From just one section, 1,179 bodies were exhumed. Estimates suggest around 15,000 Croats were killed and buried there by partisans.
Huda Jama and Kočevski Rog reveal horrors
Another horrifying site, Huda Jama, was discovered in a disused mine. It is believed up to 3,000 victims lie, many of whom were buried alive. Around 800 remains have been recovered so far.
A third site, near Kočevski Rog, was long known to locals. After executions, shallow graves “breathed” from the disturbed earth. To hide evidence, partisans covered the area in lime. These atrocities offer a chilling glimpse into post-war vengeance and silenced truths.
Over 600 mass graves found in Slovenia alone
There are more than 624 mass graves across Slovenia linked to partisan crimes. The recent agreement removes political obstacles, allowing for systematic investigation, identification, and respectful transfer of remains to Croatia. The WWII victims identified as Croatian will receive proper burial and memorialisation.
The question remains — where will they be buried? Options include Zagreb’s Mirogoj cemetery. An NDH soldiers’ section once existed here before being destroyed by the communists, or another designated memorial site. Ultimately, the right to a grave is a basic human right.
New discoveries continue in Croatia too
While negotiations with Slovenia progressed, Croatia’s own Ministry for Veterans continues to uncover new mass grave sites domestically. Recently, two were found in a forest near Sveta Nedelja, close to Zagreb.
Minister Medved also announced final preparations are underway for a joint funeral of 814 WWII victims exhumed from the Jazovka pit — the largest mass grave of that period. The ceremony is scheduled for 23 August this year. It is seen as a significant step toward closing one of the most painful chapters in Croatian history.
