Ministry of Interior files charges against two in Saraj case; police cite operation over alleged marijuana sale

The Ministry of Interior (MVR) has filed criminal complaints against two young men tied to the incident in Saraj, saying the pair were the target of a police operation linked to an alleged marijuana sale. The ministry announced the charges on October 14, 2026, after investigations by the Skopje police unit.

Police say ambush, attempted escape and weapon seizure preceded pursuit

According to the Interior Ministry, the operation followed prior information that a marijuana sale would take place. On October 7, around 20:25, police say officers laying in wait on Crnogoroska Street stopped a BMW with Skopje plates. As officers approached to identify and search the vehicle, the driver allegedly accelerated, struck a utility pole and through the window threw a bag containing marijuana.

The ministry states that one officer drew his service pistol and ordered, "Stop, police", but the weapon was taken from him by the person seated in the front passenger seat. The driver then restarted the car and fled. Officers in the area pursued the vehicle, which sped toward the Skopje–Tetovo highway, ignoring police lights and sirens; one officer is reported to have fired three warning shots into the air. The car later hit a guardrail on the highway and overturned. The driver, identified as P.A. (24), and the passenger, E.P. (21), were removed from the vehicle and detained.

"The individuals were deprived of liberty, the pistol was taken, and following a search on the scene a bag with marijuana was found. In coordination with the Skopje Basic Public Prosecutor's Office, the Unit for Violent Crime at the Skopje Police Department submitted a criminal complaint today (October 14, 2026) against E.P. and P.A. for the criminal offence of preventing an official in the performance of official duties under Article 382 of the Criminal Code and for unauthorized production and placement of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors under Article 215 of the Criminal Code. A criminal complaint was also filed against M.T., who is believed to be linked to the case, for unauthorized production and placement of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors under Article 215 of the Criminal Code," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry also said it had informed the Department for Internal Control, Criminal Investigations and Professional Standards, which is taking steps and activities related to possible irregularities in the conduct of police officers during the incident.

The episode first became public after the opposition party DUI published photos and a video, alleging the two young men were brutally beaten by police in Saraj. Over the weekend, the Interior Ministry announced that internal control checks had found a number of irregularities in officers' conduct and that disciplinary proceedings would be opened against six police officers, who would be suspended pending the procedure.

Police unions offered a different account, saying the suspects tried to run over officers, seized a service weapon and caused several traffic collisions while fleeing. DUI has demanded that the ministry publish the full police report from the October 7 intervention. The governing group Vlen urged caution and called on parties not to inflame inter-ethnic tensions, noting that officers suspected of involvement belong to three different ethnic communities.

The criminal complaints were filed with the Skopje Basic Public Prosecutor's Office; judicial proceedings and the internal review of police conduct are ongoing.

Photo: Arhiva