Operation Čistač: Three from Skopje arrested for blackmail of Delchevo resident; M57 pistol found
Three suspects from Skopje detained after a Delchevo resident reported a €10,000 extortion demand and threats to publish compromising material.
Three men from Skopje, aged 35, 43 and 61, were arrested in an operation called "Čistač" on suspicion of blackmailing a resident of Delchevo by demanding €10,000 and threatening to publish compromising material if the money was not paid.
After the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office in Delchevo opened a case, police teams from the Department for Criminal Police and from the Shtip and Skopje police directorates carried out searches at two locations and detained the three suspects.
Evidence and weapon seizure
During the searches officers found an illegal pistol "M57" of 7.62 millimetre calibre. Subsequent police checks indicated that the weapon originated from a serious theft committed in the area covered by the Skopje police directorate.
The detained men are being investigated for the criminal offences of "blackmail" and "endangering security". The case remains with the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office in Delchevo, which will direct further procedural steps.
Police said the operation targeted those suspected of using threats to extort money and that the investigation continues as authorities verify all material and circumstances connected to the alleged offences.
Photo: press material from the event
