Skopje, 29 November 2024 (MIA) – Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski on Friday condemned the flag desecration incident, which took place Thursday evening in Skopje, saying he expects similar events in the future to happen in order to trigger ethnic tensions and urging all citizens to stay immune to provocations because “we need sobriety and peace at this moment.” According to him, “a small, isolated and group is involved, manipulated by those protecting their millions.”

The government, he stressed, will respond fiercely to all provocations and attempts at destabilizing peace and security in the country.

“I strongly condemn it, it is an act of aggression, something we’ve been warning about recently saying ethnic tensions will be created. It won’t be an isolated case, expect more in the future. As justice is slowly but surely coming near criminals, they are becoming increasingly nervous, impatient and the only way to protect their illegal assets is by manipulating and causing similar incidents,” Mickoski stated speaking to reporters. 

He said they were given information “this would happen yesterday” and warned “our strategic partners and international community representatives.”

The Prime Minister congratulated the Interior Ministry, the Public Security Bureau and the Skopje police forces on their “timely, sober and statesman-like operation” preventing incidents from escalating and arresting the men who desecrated the Macedonian state flag. 

As announced earlier, four out of eight men who were arrested are being suspected of violating Article 319 of the Criminal Code – causing national, racial or religious hate, discord and intolerance – which, he said, warrants imprisonment of at least one year.

“I call on all Macedonian citizens to remain level-headed and to not allow these incidents to cause negative feelings because of a small, isolated group manipulated by those protecting their millions,” Mickoski said announcing more arrests will be made in the coming days. 

The government, he insisted, guarantees security.

“Rest assured the Macedonian government will respond fiercely to all provocations and attempts at destabilizing peace and security in the country,” PM Mickoski said. 

Photo: MIA