Skopje, 2 September 2025 (MIA) – The Skopje Criminal Court sentenced Tuesday Sulejman Lamalari to two years in jail for attacking Skopje Mayor Danela Arsovska. The time spent in detention will be included in the sentence, the court confirmed.

The case refers to a July 11 incident when Arsovska was in a Skopje settlement looking into reports of illegal constructions. According to the indictment, Lamalari arrived on an electric scooter before attacking the mayor physically and verbally, injuring her while making threats. 

During the trial, the defendant insisted that he wasn’t the attacker, but a victim in the incident after being attacked by Arsovska. He said he only had tried to take her phone to prevent her from making an illegal video and had been kicked by the plaintiff.

Testifying in court, the mayor described the incident as being “aggressive and dangerous” in which she felt “threatened, unsafe and scared.” According to her, the assault lasted over 40 minutes and police intervention was necessary.

The parties have the right to appeal the court decision.

The defendant will remain in detention until his verdict becomes enforceable. 

MIA file photo