Accused admits guilt for setting fire to vehicles outside Bulgarian Embassy in Skopje

The man accused of setting fire to two diplomatic vehicles parked in front of the Bulgarian Embassy in Skopje admitted guilt at today’s hearing at the Basic Criminal Court — saying he acted on his own. "Yes, I feel guilty and I fully admit the guilt; I decided on my own," he told the judge.

Court to call expert and embassy representative on November 11

The arson took place on 15 June this year around midday, when the accused allegedly filled a plastic bottle with petrol at a nearby Makpetrol station, walked to the embassy compound on Teodosij Gologanov Boulevard, doused two parked diplomatic vehicles and set them alight. He is prosecuted for endangering persons under international protection. The Basic Public Prosecutor's Office for Prosecution of Organized Crime and Corruption (OJO GOKK) later took over the case and added the present legal qualification.

Prosecutor Katerina Kolarevic told the court that the Bulgarian ambassador had been summoned to give a statement but provided a written account because he was abroad. She said three embassy employees, who are under international protection, were interviewed by the prosecution and their testimony has been submitted as evidence.

"The ambassador was summoned as the representative of the Embassy or a person he would authorize to comment regarding the damage incurred. At the Prosecution, persons under international protection were also questioned; they gave testimony and were proposed as evidence before the Court," Kolarevic said.

The defence counsel — appointed ex officio — submitted an expert report arguing that the accused had been deliberate when committing the act. Nevertheless, the defence asked that the expert who produced the forensic finding be called to clarify passages in the report alleging that the accused has certain disorders and a personality described as immature.

The court scheduled the next hearing for 11 November, when the forensic expert and a representative of the Bulgarian Embassy are to appear and the embassy will be asked whether it claims compensation for the reported material damage. Prosecutors say the indictment, filed on 16 September by OJO GOKK, states the accused’s actions created a significant danger to the life and body of persons under international protection. At the time of the incident, the Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade condemned the arson and called for a swift investigation.

Photo: Printskrin