Mickoski: man from Cherkezi posted insults and threatened to "kill me in the square"

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said a man from the village of Cherkezi directed insults and threats at him on social media, including a message that he would "kill me in the square." The suspect was detained and the case is now in the hands of prosecutors in Kumanovo.

Authorities open case; prosecutors cite risk of escalation

Mickoski told reporters he learned about the messages yesterday and expects state institutions to investigate and the judiciary to follow through. "I learned yesterday about those threats written on social media by this person, that I had been called a pig and that he would slaughter me in the square, and he also addressed curses to me and my family," he said.

"I am, after all, an institution. If this were not the case, I know how those matters get resolved, but I assume the institutions have taken their responsibilities and through the Ministry of Internal Affairs they secured the person. I hope that subsequently the judicial system will do the same and tell him what his place is," Mickoski added.

The Kumanovo Public Prosecutor's Office has launched proceedings against a 39-year-old man from Cherkezi, charging him with endangering the security of the prime minister. Prosecutors said the suspect has been the perpetrator of other criminal offenses — including violence and loan-sharking — and has a record of numerous misdemeanors for disturbing public order.

According to the prosecution, the suspect is a conflict-prone individual who repeatedly enters into arguments, issues threats and becomes physically involved with complainants. For that reason, prosecutors say there is a real risk that his aggressive outbursts could escalate into more serious, life-threatening crimes.

Authorities have placed the man in pre-trial detention while the investigation continues; Mickoski said he expects law enforcement and the courts to complete the process.

Photo: press material from the event