Skopje, 7 April 2024 (MIA) – According to media reports, journalist Furkan Saliu was a part of a group of people arrested at a football match on Sunday in the village of Sredno Konjare. The Interior Ministry confirmed arrests were made, while Minister Panche Toshkovski said F.S. was arrested as a result of an attack on police officers and urged the public to allow the police to do its job.

According to a press release from the Interior Ministry, at a football match Sunday in the village of Sredno Konjare, an attempt by the home fans to attack the away players was prevented by police officers. During the intervention, two individuals attacked members of the Rapid Deployment Unit, after which they were immediately arrested and identified as F.S. (33) and N.J. (26) from the village of Arachinovo. While another individual, S.B. (40), also from the village of Arachinovo was arrested for participating in a fight, the Interior Ministry said in the press release.

The Ministry also said a gun was found during a search of the vehicle belonging to F.S., which was driven by F.A. (34) from the village of Kondovo. It said the Skopje police is working to clear up and document the case.

Earlier on Sunday, some media outlets published reports that specialized police units have arrested journalist and Portal X owner Furkan Saliu. Albanian language media IN7.TV published a video of the arrest.

After the reports, the Association of Journalists of Macedonia (ZNM) and the Independent Union of Journalists and Media Workers (SSNM) urged the Ministry to swiftly clear up the case and protect the rights of Saliu, they also urged political parties not to use the case as part of their election campaign activities.

In a Facebook post, Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski said F.S. was arrested as a result of an attack on police officers.

“I want to state that I understand the concern of the Association of Journalists and the Independent Union of Journalists, but the Interior Ministry must respond equally to anyone who attacks a police officer, in line with the established legal procedures. As a minister, I’ve shown that I am committed to transparency and accountability in the work of the MoI and this will continue, but the country’s laws must apply equally for everyone,” Toshkovski wrote.

The Interior Minister urged the political parties, associations, unions and other stakeholders “to refrain from making statements and press releases that exert pressure on the police” and allow police officers to do their job professionally, in line with the law.

Photo: MIA Archive