Venko Filipche demands immediate probe after attack on young SDSM activists in Novo Selo

From Novo Selo SDSM leader Venko Filipche demanded an immediate investigation and swift institutional reaction after what he described as last night’s assault on young party activists, calling the incident serious and unacceptable.

Filipche calls for urgent probes by police and prosecutors

Speaking in Novo Selo, Filipche urged the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the public prosecutor’s office to identify those responsible and act quickly. "We demand an immediate investigation, an immediate response from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, an immediate investigation by the prosecutor's office — who were those people? Because they were VMRO-DPMNE activists, because they were people close to Hristijan Mickoski. Those people who sought to physically take revenge on the young children who were telling the truth," he said.

Filipche said the attack was an attempt to intimidate and silence anyone who expresses views different from the authorities, and stressed the young activists will not be left without support. "I send a message: the children are not alone. They were not alone last night, they are not alone today, they will not be alone tomorrow. This is a sign that the authorities are scared. They are scared because the truth about polluted water is coming out, the truth about the economy is coming out, the truth about Europe is coming out, the truth that now we have become a blind appendage of Europe," he said.

He warned that a time of accountability is approaching and that the VMRO-DPMNE government will be held responsible for alleged criminal acts, highlighting the attack on the young activists. "A time of justice and truth is coming. And they will answer. They will answer for all the crimes, and especially for having attacked the children because the only thing the children were doing — I will repeat — was telling the truth," Filipche said.

Filipche also vowed that attempts to intimidate SDSM members and citizens who speak publicly will not succeed. "This government will not silence us. If this is a message that anyone who thinks differently and who tells the truth will be silenced and physically dealt with, I send a clear message — it will not succeed. A time of truth and justice is coming," he said.

The SDSM leader repeated his call for authorities to move rapidly to investigate the incident and to ensure protection for young activists; he framed the episode as evidence of the ruling party's fear of scrutiny over issues such as water contamination and economic conditions.

Photo: press material from the event