Skopje, 29 November 2024 (MIA) – A Macedonian flag was desecrated last night during a celebration of the Albanian Flag Day in the capital Skopje.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office is taking actions looking into an incident involving desecration of the Macedonian flag.

“A public prosecutor has been notified, actions are taken to investigate the event,” says the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of North Macedonia on Friday. 

The Interior Ministry told MIA that the Municipality of Chair had reported to the Skopje Internal Affairs Sector that a gathering would take place on Thursday at 6:30 pm in Skenderbeg square to celebrate Albanian Flag Day. It said more information will follow later in the day on how the police handled the event, whether there were incidents and whether actions were taken to find the men who desecrated the Macedonian flag.

People waving flags while being driven in cars across Skopje and several other cities in the country in which the majority of citizens are ethnic Albanians celebrated Albanian Flag Day yesterday. Videos posted on social media show several men desecrating the Macedonian flag and a car running over it.

Parties, both ruling and opposition, have been condemning the flag desecration demanding that perpetrators should be punished. 

“We also react to the insulting chants and rampages by irresponsible groups we believe have political backing and want to impose ethnic division in the public discourse in the absence of real political offering. The law apples for everyone and we expect competent institutions to punish those breaking the law,” says the ruling party VMRO-DPMNE.

The incidents in cities across the country, including Skopje, are absolutely unacceptable, directly threatening multi-ethnic relations, public security and the dignity of Macedonians, said the opposition party SDSM. “Respecting symbols and the identity of every community is the foundation of our common society and any behaviour designed to cause division or tension goes against these values,” it added.   

In a press release, the opposition party DUI strongly condemns “the unprecedented police intervention during the Albanian Flag Day celebration.”

“Instead of protecting public order, this intervention caused unnecessary tensions creating a climate of confrontation and violating the right of the citizens to freely celebrate this important holiday tradition,” said the party.

At the same time, DUI said it condemns “the individual act of burning the state flag as a reaction to the inadequate police intervention. Such acts do not reflect the values of Albanians for a stable cohabitation and mutual respect.”

MIA file photo