Skopje, 29 November 2024 (MIA) — President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova condemned Thursday's incidents in which a Macedonian flag was desecrated during an Albanian Flag Day celebration.

Writing on Facebook, Siljanovska Davkova said the act was not only disrespectful to state symbols but also directly undermined the unity of all Macedonian citizens the flag symbolized.

"Such actions do not contribute to building trust and respect among citizens, but encourage additional tensions and rifts," she wrote.

"A call to reason, tolerance and dialogue is crucial in such moments. The competent institutions should conduct a thorough investigation into the event and take appropriate measures against those responsible," the President wrote.

Earlier on Friday, Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski said eight people had been arrested after participating in Thursday’s incidents. He said four of them were suspected of violating Article 319 of the Criminal Code – causing national, racial or religious hate, discord and intolerance – which he said warranted imprisonment of at least one year.

He said all of the arrested were young people, with one being a minor. According to Toshkovski, one of the arrested was caught setting the Macedonian flag on fire while another one was lowering the flag. The other four people were arrested for participating in a fight. ad/mr