The “Krste Misirkov” Macedonian movement for the promotion of the Macedonian language has announced that, in recent days, Macedonians have been receiving police summonses to provide statements as part of an investigation into an alleged criminal offense. The announcement states that the case involves 15 individuals and two organizations. The “Krste Misirkov” movement is urging anyone who has received such a police summons to inform the organization.
“We will respond in an organized manner to this arbitrary action and the attempt to intimidate Macedonians who publicly speak and sing in the Macedonian language,” reads the press release.
In its social media post, the “Krste Misirkov” organization does not specify the exact reason for these summonses to appear at police stations. However, this is occurring while a pre-investigative procedure is underway in Greece following a citizen complaint regarding a celebration in Ovcharani (Meliti), in the Lerin (Florina) region.
On September 8, two Greek nationals submitted a video to the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Florina showing the celebration held on July 19 in Ovcharani (Meliti). They requested an investigation into potential criminal or other liability regarding the conduct of the individuals appearing in the recording. The video shows a group of people singing and dancing to the song “Alexander, King of Macedon.” Greek media particularly highlighted the lyrics stating that “the Greeks have erred,” and the song concludes with the call: “Greeks, go away; enough with the lies.”
According to published reports, the complaint calls on Greek institutions to determine whether the song’s content, the behavior of those present, and the gestures seen in the video could constitute a criminal offense.
The “Krste Misirkov” organization claims on its social media profile that the police are summoning Macedonians for interrogation.
The question remains as to whether, under Greek law, the song’s content and any gestures made by those present could constitute a criminal offense, and how Greek institutions will treat the use of the Macedonian language and the singing of Macedonian songs by members of the local Macedonian community.
On September 20, Netpress reported that Greek MP Aspasia Kroupaki, representing the NIKI political party, had asked the Greek government to investigate an online post that allegedly called for self-organization, the acquisition of weapons, and armed action in Greek Macedonia. Her intervention follows the controversy surrounding a song with the lyrics “Greeks, go away” which was reportedly performed at a festival in Meliti, in the Florina region.
The Center for the Macedonian Language in Greece, an organization dedicated to preserving and fostering the Macedonian language as an indigenous language in Greece, is also facing legal challenges in Greek courts. The Center was initially banned by a decision of the Appellate Court in Kozani on August 13, 2024. The organization immediately appealed the dissolution decision to the Supreme Court of Greece, with a hearing scheduled for September 21.
The Supreme Court postponed the hearings until September 20, 2027, thereby delaying a final resolution regarding the Center’s removal from the registry; this effectively constitutes a blatant attempt to stall the study of the Macedonian language and the expression of Macedonian identity.