Skopje, 16 December 2024 (MIA) - The Skopje-based Criminal Court has ordered a 30-day detention for four persons arrested in Struga and Gostivar on Sunday under the suspicion of planning actions that could threaten national security and that of other countries.

The individuals, who are suspected of committing crime Terrorist Organization, are given detention due to flight risk and obstruction of investigation by influencing witnesses.

The parties are entitled to an appeal against the court decision.

On Sunday, Minister of Interior Panche Toshkovski said four persons had been arrested in a police operation.

“Four persons who have been detained are linked to terrorist organizations. They, in cooperation with individuals not on the territory of Macedonia, have been under surveillance by the relevant security authorities for an extended period, coordinated with international partners. We have substantial evidence supporting the reasonable suspicion that these persons were planning to organize certain undesirable events in the future that could threaten the security of both Macedonia and other countries. Their objective was to indoctrinate people from the Balkans to act in accordance with their goals,” said Toshkovski.

Regarding their motives, he added there are reasonable suspicions "they are associated with groups supporting certain extremist and religious ideologies."

MIA file photo