The Minister of Interior of North Macedonia, Oliver Spasovski has dismissed claims by Hristijan Mickoski, leader of the opposition VMRO-DPMNE, that someone had tried to assassinate him during a protest in Skopje on 6 July.
“The security situation in the country is calm and cannot be escalated as a result of the protests against the French proposal,” Spasovski told media.
Over the past two weeks, Skopje has seen massive daily protests against the so-called French proposal which would settle a number of cultural disputes with Bulgaria and pave the way for North Macedonia to begin accession talks with the EU.
Galvanised by the opposition, protestors have marched through the streets of the capital saying “No thanks” to the compromise, and attacking government buildings with rocks and eggs.
Last Wednesday (6 July), an Albanian man was apprehended by the police after he wove a gun at protestors.
VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski claimed the man had targeted him specifically, which Spasovski denied in his speech.
According to Euronews Albania, who spoke to the perpetrator’s family, the man had tried to protect his private property against protestors. He faces up to five years in prison.
Spasovski confirmed that the influence and involvement of foreign agents and influences had been confirmed as well, although investigations are ongoing.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs informed also that 54 police officers have been injured during the protests, and 22 people have been detained so far.
Tensions have been high in Skopje, as some protestors hurled ethnically-charged insults against Albanians and Bulgarians.
The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry sent a note to North Macedonia expressing its deep concerns about the rhetoric used during the protests.
“It is particularly worrying that malicious acts in the public space are escalating at a time when Sofia and Skopje are actively seeking a way to a constructive dialogue and finding lasting mutually acceptable solutions in the interest of the European integration of the Republic of North Macedonia and the region,” the statement reads.
