The Macedonian Ministry of Interior (MoI) informed Sunday afternoon that disciplinary proceedings for workplace misconduct, resulting in suspension, will be initiated against six police officers involved in the case of excessive use of force.
The Ministry’s Internal Control, Criminal Investigations, and Professional Standards Department launched an investigation into the incident that occurred on Wednesday, which involved the brutal beating and injury of two young ethnic Albanians.
“Based on checks performed, footage of the incident, and witness statements, a series of irregularities in the officers’ conduct were identified; consequently, the Department for Internal Control, Criminal Investigations, and Professional Standards will initiate disciplinary proceedings against six officers for workplace misconduct and impose suspension measures,” the Ministry stated.
Regarding the reports filed with the Internal Control, Criminal Investigations, and Professional Standards Department and the Skopje Sector for Internal Affairs, the competent public prosecutor’s offices are issuing orders for forensic examinations, which are currently being carried out. The Ministry of the Interior said that appropriate charges would be filed once all the evidence has been documented.
Opposition parties DUI and the Alliance for Albanians publicized the incident, describing it as a case of police brutality and demanding punishment for those responsible.
According to a statement by DUI, which also released a video recorded from a distance of about ten meters, the internal police report claims that the young men had taken a police officer’s gun.
They, however, maintain that the weapon ended up in their vehicle after the police smashed the window. According to their accounts, police officers fired their weapons, slashed the car’s tires, and then handcuffed and forced them onto the ground, subjecting them to mistreatment in the process.