• Saturday, 02 November 2024

Parliament and MFA buildings damaged after Tuesday’s protests against French proposal

Parliament and MFA buildings damaged after Tuesday’s protests against French proposal
Skopje, 6 July 2022 (MIA) - The buildings of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Parliament were damaged as protesters marched against the French proposal on Tuesday. The glass on the main entrance door of the MFA has been shattered, and there is still residue of egg shells, pieces of glass and paint that the protesters threw at the building. Some windows have been broken at the Parliament, and objects that the protesters threw at the members of the MFA and the building can be seen as well. All is quiet in front of the MFA and the Parliament on Wednesday morning. During the protests, 16 police shields, multiple helmets and radio links were broken, and a police house in front of Parliament and a police vehicle were also damaged. The MFA said that 47 police officers have been injured, two of whom have sustained serious injuries. Eleven people were arrested, including two minors, and according to the MoI, there have been multiple public disturbances by the protesters who threw eggs, rocks, metal objects, molotovs, traffic signs, trash cans and pyrotechnics towards the buildings and the police officers securing them. President Stevo Pendarovski, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski and Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi condemned the violent protests. Minister of Interior Oliver Spasovski visited the injured police officers this morning. In a press release, he described yesterday's protests as acts of vandalism, pointing out that protests are a democratic right. He sent a message to political parties that they cannot organize violent protests and violent government toppling. dk/nn/