Skopje, 5 January 2024 (MIA) — The Skopje Public Prosecutor's Office has issued an order to conduct an investigation against eight persons over suspicions they committed the crime of endangering air traffic safety, the PPO said in a press release.

Referencing Article 303 Paragraph 2 in connection with Article 22 from the Criminal Code, the release says the prosecution has requested detention for four of the suspects while the police is searching for the other four.

According to the release, they are suspected of threatening the security of the Skopje International Airport on Jan. 4, when they broke into the premises with the intention of committing an act of violence against a person and obstructed air traffic services.

"With their actions, they endangered international air traffic safety at a time when 28 flights were taking place under the control of M-NAV in the country's airspace," the release notes.

"They are suspected of having committed a crime punishable by at least five years in prison," it adds.

Noting that the suspects posed a risk of fleeing the country, influencing the procedure, or repeating the crime, the PPO said it had requested from the Skopje's Criminal Court to order detention of the suspects who are in custody.

The search for the other four continues. mr/