Skopje, protests against arrests

Thousands of Albanians protested in Skopje against the Macedonian police operation that arrested several Albanians charging them of having terrorists ties.

The protesters gathered at the Supreme Court in Skopje, where the trial against the 20 Albanians is being held, among which there are also old women.

Chanting “justice and freedom”, “stop state terror”, “stop discrimination against Albanians and fake trials” and “Albanians are not Islamic Radicals”, the protesters expressed their concerns about the recent developments in Macedonia.

The next stop was the square in front of the Skopje government meeting, where they chanted against the Macedonian Prime Minister, Nicolas Gruevski, and high rank Macedonian police leaders.

Several police forces surrounded the Supreme Court and the Government Building, but there was no incident.

A group of protesters then marched to the Caire Commune, where they continued their manifestation. The protest in this Albanian populated area was calm and the police presence was minimal.