Skopje, 6 January 2024 (MIA) — The Skopje Public Prosecutor's Office will appeal the Criminal Court decision to impose precautionary measures against the four persons suspected of endangering air traffic safety by breaking in and attacking staff of the national air navigation service provider M-NAV instead of ordering detention for the suspects as requested by the prosecution, the PPO said.

On Friday evening, a judge at the Skopje Criminal Court ordered precautionary measures against the four persons who were interrogated by the police after the attack on M-NAV staff on Thursday. One of the suspects is Bekim Neziri, a former government minister, current advisor to a M-NAV executive director, and member of DUI.

According to the court order, the suspects have been prohibited from leaving their place of residence, have to appear in court when summoned, will have their passports seized, and cannot communicate with the attacked party or between themselves.

Earlier, the PPO requested detention for the four persons over suspicions of threatening the security of the Skopje International Airport on Jan. 4, when they broke into the premises with the intention of committing an act of violence against a person and obstructed air traffic services.

"With their actions, they endangered international air traffic safety at a time when 28 flights were taking place under the control of M-NAV in the country's airspace," the release noted.

"They are suspected of having committed a crime punishable by at least five years in prison," it said.

Noting that the suspects posed a risk of fleeing the country, influencing the procedure, or repeating the crime, the PPO said it had requested from the Skopje's Criminal Court to order detention of the suspects who are in custody. The search for another four suspects continues. mr/