Politicians have continued to react to the anti-Albanian chants during Saturday’s basketball match in Kumanovo.
Ex-Health Minister Arben Taravari, whose wing of Alliance for Albanians is now part of the DUI-led European front, criticized PM Hristijan Mickoski’s “silence”. He added that the “dangerous spirit” for the country and region that was being brought by the “wind” of Serbia and even further had to be condemned and put out.
SDSM’s Kumanovo mayoral candidate, Martin Kostovski, stated that true patriotism was about respecting fellow citizens, supporting one’s club, without insulting others. 1st Deputy PM Izet Mexhiti, too, condemned the chants. North Macedonia, he pointed out, is a common country for all, while sports should unite, not divide, everyone.
DUI, however, again reacted, stressing that institutions had been silent during the match even though hate had been being conveyed. Ali Ahmeti’s party called on prosecutors and police to launch an urgent investigation, in addition to urging the Government to react officially and publicly distance itself from the issue.
Police said several suspects had been summoned to the Kumanovo Internal Affairs Sector on 3 August, adding that authorities had an official conversation with them.
“After carried out analyses, in coordination with the Public Prosecutor, concrete legal measures will be taken against the persons involved, including criminal proceedings”, the Sector said.
In its coverage, Telma said two people had been summoned for an official conversation, adding that they’d been identified as the informal leaders of the Kumani supporters’ group.