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North Macedonia police brutality allegations

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2026-10-10 08:50 UTC → 2026-10-10 18:20 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Political parties and movements in North Macedonia are demanding accountability following allegations of police brutality against two ethnic Albanian youths, aged 21 and 23, in the Saraj Municipality. The victims allege that police used firearms, punctured their vehicle’s tires, broke a window, and physically abused them while their hands were bound. These claims contradict an internal police report, which asserts the youths took a weapon from an officer. In response to the incident, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has ordered an investigation by the Department for Internal Control, Criminal Investigation, and Professional Standards. Various political entities have responded to the incident. The Democratic Union for Integration (BDI/DUI) has called for the resignation of Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Astrit Iseni and demanded full institutional accountability. The Albanian League and the Alliance for Albanians have also demanded disciplinary and criminal investigations. The Alliance for Albanians further noted that critics have accused the current administration of using repressive tactics. The political movement Lëvizja POPULLI, led by Skender Rexhepi, characterized the event as a sign of a ‘police state mentality’ where uniforms are used to intimidate citizens. The movement criticized the VLEN coalition for its perceived lack of accountability to the Albanian community and is calling for an independent and transparent investigation to identify the officers involved and prevent potential cover-ups. Public outcry has intensified following the emergence of photos showing visible facial injuries on the two young men. The VLEN political party has expressed deep concern, stating that any violation of law or abuse of authority must be met with legal accountability.

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