Macedonia police detain suspects in domestic violence and migrant‑smuggling cases

On 19–20 July 2026 police in Gevgelija arrested a 67‑year‑old man accused of assaulting his 66‑year‑old wife and, the following night, a 49‑year‑old man suspected of attacking his 44‑year‑old partner in Bogdanci. Both men were detained at the Gevgelija police station and a public prosecutor was notified.

A series of vehicle checks on 21–22 July 2026 led to several arrests linked to migrant‑smuggling. Officers stopped an Audi on the “Partizanski odredi” street in Gevgelija, seizing five Afghan migrants and detaining a 35‑year‑old driver on suspicion of smuggling and document falsification. Later that day a Mercedes carrying migrants crashed near the Krushevo hill; the driver fled, and two Pakistani migrants were injured and taken to hospital. On 22 July a Volkswagen with Macedonian occupants was also stopped and the driver and passenger were detained. In addition, volunteers reported that two children (12 and 13) had gone missing from a hotel in Dojran where they were staying after a flight organized by the Centre for Social Work, prompting search efforts.