On Tuesday, SDSM leveled fierce criticism at the government, accusing it of direct oppression against party officials through “ordered court verdicts”.
According to Filipche’s party, the VMRO-DPMNE-ZNAM coalition has activated the last stage of its campaign, which, in its view, includes political persecution. SDSM’s stand is that Tuesday’s conviction of Filip Andov, member of its Executive Board and former head of the Shuto Orizari prison, is proof of that.
“There is neither an independent judiciary nor an independent Prosecutor’s Office anymore. They’ve put everything in their claws”, it pointed out.
However, VMRO-DPMNE’s view is that it has been clear since the start that Filipche’s party knew Andov was guilty, but it appointed him as member of its Executive Board in order to “sell this as political persecution”.
The ruling party added that SDSM should distance itself from the criminals at that party, headed by Filipche and former leader Zaev.
Prior to the parties’ reactions, there had been no media reports on the sentence issued against Andov. He and several employees of the institution, are on trial for enabling prisoners to leave the prison for private needs.