Ministry of Internal Affairs: 25 family-violence reports in five days, 14 detained

The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that between 1 November and today police officers processed 25 reports of family and partner violence across 16 municipalities, including Skopje, Kumanovo, Kochani, Shtip, Veles, Ohrid, Gostivar, Kavadarci, Prilep, Bitola, Tetovo, Berovo, Struga, Kichevo, Sveti Nikole and Strumica.

During their work on some of the cases, police detained and arrested 14 people on suspicion of physical attacks, issuing threats and other violent behaviour directed at family members or current and former partners.

Details from the Ministry

"Among the reported cases are physical attacks against spouses, former partners, parents, children, brothers and sisters, as well as cases of psychological harassment, threats and intimidation. There were also instances of disregard for issued protective measures, and failure to comply with decisions of the centres for social work regarding visitation with minors. In one of the cases in Skopje, a person threatened his mother with a sharp object, while in another case in Tetovo stalking and threats by a former partner were reported, which violated the issued court protective measures," the Ministry of Internal Affairs said.

The ministry also noted reports of physical violence against minors and other incidents of threatening or violent conduct inside family homes.

Authorities said that once each case is fully documented, appropriate charges and criminal or misdemeanour filings will be submitted against the persons involved. The police emphasised that they act on every report of family violence and apply all legal measures to identify and sanction perpetrators.

The Ministry urged citizens not to remain silent and to report any form of family violence promptly so that competent institutions can respond in time.

Photo: press material from the event