Ivan Pernar and Ivan Vilibor Sinčić, MPs representing Živi Zid, were removed from the hall by security.

Members of Parliament Ivan Pernar and Ivan Vilibor Sinčić (Živi Zid) were today forcebly removed from the hall of Parliament after Deputy Speaker of Parliament Željko Reiner, who was presiding officer at the time, ordered the removal of Pernar for heckling during the debate. The entire incident was broadcast live on Pernar’s Facebook profile, reports Večernji List on January 20, 2017.

Pernar was carried out, while Sinčić was manhandled. “This is democracy, this is HDZ and their policy of freedom of speech and democracy, these are their methods”, yelled Pernar sarcastically.

“No one was removed except Pernar”, said Reiner after Parliament continued with its session. Ranko Ostojić (SDP) said that he saw that parliamentary security removed Ivan Sinčić as well. “Sinčić was also removed. Security guards took away his phone from his hands. I think there was an abuse of authority, and I think you are not presiding as you should. Scenes such as this damage the dignity of Parliament”, said Branimir Bunjac (Živi Zid).

The incident occurred during a debate on whether parliamentary immunity of MOST’s MPs Božo Petrov, who is Speaker of Parliament, and Miro Bulj should be removed due to a lawsuit for defamation which was filed against them by former HDZ president and Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Karamarko. The debate turned into a discussion about Croatian oil company INA and mutual accusations among political opponents.

Sinčić was speaking about the fact that no investigation against Karamarko has been opened and Reiner interrupted him, saying that he was not talking about the issue which was on parliamentary agenda. That upset Pernar who started protesting from his parliamentary bench. Reiner told him to leave the hall, but Pernar refused, so Reiner called security to remove him. Pernar said that “Reiner was president in a fascist manner like Hitler”. He continued to argue with guards and refused to leave the hall.

Pernar was defended for a while by HSS president Krešo Beljak who sat next to him, saying to security guards that he wanted to talk with a colleague. “I will certainly not leave the hall because this is fascism”, said Pernar to Beljak. Pernar was transmitting the whole incident live on his Facebook profile.