Josip Boljkovac facts for kids

Josip Boljkovac (born November 12, 1920 – died November 10, 2014) was an important Croatian politician. He is best known for being the very first Minister of Internal Affairs in the Croatian Government. This made him a close helper to the first Croatian President, Franjo Tudjman.

Josip Boljkovac's Early Life and Career

Growing Up and World War II

Josip Boljkovac was born in Vukova Gorica, a small place near the city of Karlovac. Even before World War II started, he was actively involved in the anti-fascist movement. This movement was against the ideas of fascism, which was a very strict and controlling political system.

During World War II, Boljkovac joined the Yugoslav Partisans. These were groups of fighters who resisted the occupation of their country. After the war ended, he became a local chief for the Yugoslav secret police, called OZNA, in Karlovac. Later, he was chosen to be the mayor of Karlovac. He served as mayor for six years, from 1963 to 1969.

Political Career in Independent Croatia

Becoming a Minister

In 1990, Croatia began to make big democratic changes. Josip Boljkovac joined a political party called the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). Because of his experience, he was chosen to be Croatia's first Minister of Internal Affairs. This role is like being in charge of the country's police and security.

However, he only held this position for about a year. President Tudjman removed him from office in 1991.

A Change in Views

After leaving his ministerial role, Boljkovac started to have different political ideas. He became known as a moderate, meaning he held less extreme views. In 1994, he left the HDZ party. He then became a strong critic of President Tudjman's policies.

He joined a new party called the Croatian Independent Democrats (HND). As this party became less important, he later joined the more liberal Croatian People's Party (HNS). Boljkovac also ran in elections with other parties, like the Croatian Party of Pensioners (HSU) and the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS).

Later Life and Legal Questions

Facing Legal Questions

In 2011, local police looked into Josip Boljkovac's actions during World War II and the time right after the war. He was arrested on November 2, 2011, because of questions about events that happened in May 1945. He was held for about a month. Because of his health, he was moved to a hospital for prisoners soon after his arrest.

However, the legal questions against him were dropped on November 29, 2011, after an appeal to the Constitutional Court.

Acquittal and Death

A trial was held later, and on May 22, 2014, Josip Boljkovac was found not guilty. The judge stated that there was no evidence from witnesses or documents to show he was guilty. His lawyer, Anto Nobilo, said that this trial, and another similar one, might have been started for political reasons.

Josip Boljkovac passed away later that same year, in November 2014.