Skopje, 14 November 2024 (MIA) – It's good that we don't have a life-threatening situation for anyone at this moment, it's bad that criminal gangs are still 'running rampant', but as institutions, we will respond accordingly, decisively and harshly to all those who 'disrupt' the peace of Macedonian citizens, Minister of Interior Panche Toshkovski said in connection with an incident earlier on Thursday when an explosive device was thrown into a yard in Skopje's Keramidnica settlement.  

In response to a reporter's question during a debate "Platform: 100% Committed to You" on the topic "Focus on justice, security and defense", Toshkovski said institutions will clearly and decisively fight against crime and against organized crime. 

"There have been and there will be murders, bombs, the question is how the state and the institutions will respond accordingly," the Minister said. 

As regards whether it was possible to trace the attackers, given that the attack had been announced on the TikTok social network, the Minister said the institutions will act within the capacities they have.

"The Ministry of Interior cannot do miracles, but it can work honestly, dedicatedly and professionally, and within the framework of everything that is the competence of the ministry, within the capacities we have, we will act," he said. 

The Ministry of Interior previously said that one person has been injured earlier on Thursday after an explosive device has been thrown in a yard in Skopje's Keramidnica settlement. 

"Today (14.11.2024) at 9:20 a.m. it was reported to the Skopje police that an explosive device has been thrown in a yard in the Keramidnica settlement in Skopje. A person identified by the initials R.T. was injured in the explosion and was taken to the "St. Naum Ohridski" hospital," the Ministry said. 

Measures are being taken to clear up the case, it added.

Photo: MIA archive