Šapić demands relocation of Tito's grave from Belgrade center and erection of monument to war criminal Draža Mihailović

(Patria) - Belgrade Mayor Aleksandar Šapić announced today an initiative to relocate the grave of Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito from the Museum of Yugoslavia, and the tomb of four national heroes from Kalemegdan.

Šapić, a former water polo national team player and one of the leading figures of the ruling SNS, stated that "Bolshevism and communism should be settled once and for all."

Addressing a press conference, he also announced that a monument to the Chetnik commander from World War II, war criminal Draža Mihailović, would be erected in the park on Terazijska Terasa in the city center.

- Bolshevism and communism, which were disastrous for the Serbian people, should be settled once and for all - said Šapić, otherwise known for his pro-Russian views.

Šapić, although speaking at a press conference dedicated to the rebalancing of the city budget, which is in deficit by almost 60 million euros, announced that he would personally advocate for the relocation of Tito's grave to be a dignified exhumation, "not a barbaric act."

Josip Broz Tito, the former lifelong president of SFR Yugoslavia, was buried after his death in 1980 in a mausoleum called the House of Flowers, which is now part of the Museum of Yugoslavia.

His funeral, with the highest honors, was attended by more than 200 delegations from around the world, including 33 presidents, 21 prime ministers, four kings, five princes, and leaders of international organizations.

The common tomb of four national heroes - Ivo Lola Ribar, Đuro Đaković, Moša Pijade, and Ivan Milutinović - is located within the historic fortress and city park Kalemegdan.

Šapić told reporters that the decision on relocation "is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture" because Kalemegdan is protected by the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments, as is the Museum of Yugoslavia, but that "city authorities will do everything to ensure the relocation of the tombs."

- I personally and the city services will, if this is carried out, do everything to ensure a quality exhumation, not in a barbaric manner, and to break once and for all with Bolshevism and communism, which were disastrous for the Serbian people. We will be ready to finance the exhumation as well - stated Šapić.

Regarding the initiative to erect a monument to the war criminal Mihailović in the city center, he said that "he deserved it."

- This is also important for national reconciliation - stated Šapić, asserting that Mihailović was one of the most decorated Serbian officers and a fighter in all wars who "posthumously received the highest American and French decorations."

Šapić has previously announced that he would request that the House of Flowers and the Museum of Yugoslavia become a "museum of Serbian history," and that Josip Broz Tito "return to Kumrovec."