Protests in Skopje for trial against six Albanians

04/07/2014 00:00

Life in prison for six of seven ethnic Albanians accused for the murder
of five ethnic Macedonians in the so-called “Monster Trial”, has caused
protests in Skopje. Thousands of Albanians consider the trial as
politically motivated.

The protest started at the Caire neighborhood, with banners “We are not terrorists”, and appeals to free the six men sentenced to life in prison. The protesters gathered in front of the Court where police used tear gas to disperse the crowd which kept throwing solid objects.

The protest had been warned through social networks, and the relatives of the six people who are accused are among the crowd.

The court found guilty six ethnic Albanians for the murder of April 13th, 2012. The Court freed only Ramiz Sejdiu, while two of the other suspects are imprisoned in Kosovo for illegal arm possession.

The lawyer of the defendants, Naser Raufi, declared that he would challenge the verdict at the Court of Appeals, since it was taken only based on suspects and not on evidence.

“We are years from having an independent court. We will appeal and I think that we will succeed. The entire decision is based on suspicions and not on evidence”, the lawyer said.

The relatives of the defendants say that the process is politically motivated.

The murder of five young men took place two years ago near Skopje. The defendants were arrested in May 1st, 2012, after a police operation. The Interior Minister declared right after the arrest that the police has caught the authors of the murder.

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