Tito’s Murder Squads (2014)

This gripping documentary delves into one of the most perplexing and enduring unsolved murder series in postwar Germany. Until the fall of the Berlin Wall, approximately 30 opponents of the Yugoslav regime met their tragic end within the Federal Republic. Most of these victims were exiled Croats, and the chilling assassination orders originated from Belgrade.

For years, German investigators tirelessly pursued the murderers and those pulling the strings behind them. Among the masterminds was Josip Perkovic, a former high-level intelligence agent. His alleged involvement in the murder of Stjepan Djurekovic over three decades ago remained a haunting mystery. The quest for justice led to a courtroom showdown in Munich, where, on August 3, 2016, both Perkovic and the last head of the Yugoslav secret service, Zdravko Mustac, faced trial.

The documentary, crafted by filmmakers Philipp Grüll and Frank Hofmann, unfolds like a pulse-pounding thriller by John le Carré. It meticulously traces the complex investigation, fueled by the families of the victims who yearn for closure and justice. As the tension mounts, secrets emerge, shedding light on a shadowy chapter of history that reverberates with intrigue and tragedy.