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THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017)

Association of Journalists of Macedonia THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017)

Translation into English: Igor Markovski Photography: Media Information Agency - MIA Enis Murtezi, journalist Murtezi, Enis Hristina Belovska,journalist by: Edited Dragan Sekulovski and Deniz Sulejman Authors: Mrgja,Dushica journalist December 2019, Skopje December AND MEDIA WORKERS AND MEDIA 2017) 27, APRIL (OF THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS ON JOURNALISTS THE ATTACKS Gradski Zid, block 13, 1000 Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia Dragan Sekulovski, Project Head 3298-139 Email: (02) 00389 [email protected]: Publisher: Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM) of AJM and authors and can in no way reflect the position of the Embassy ofthe Kingdom of the Netherlands in Skopje. This publication was prepared in the framework of the project “Safe Journalists for Credible Information in Macedonia” supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Skopje. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) 2 3 1 . . . on April 27 April on journalists attacked the for resolution dispute The 2.1. actors political of perspective the from in Parliament reporters on the Attack 27, April 2017 of Thursday Bloody the after months and eight years two 2019, December 2.4. 2.3. 2.2. 3.5. 3.4. 3.3. 3.2. 3.1. The parties on Bloody Thursday and the attack on attack and the Thursday on Bloody parties The day” that safe one was “No fate” same the shared “We Legislating the security of journalists journalists of security the Legislating proceedings in civil shorter is justice to road The years two for mazes court through wandering been has cameraman an attacked of case The immobile years and ahalf two - journalists of protection criminal for Main pre-trial responsibility Criminal scenes bloody the cover to lives their sacrificed Journalists journalists CONTENTS 2

3 26 25 3 23 21 19 19 18 15 14 13 12 THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017)

APRIL 27, 2017 APRIL 27, 3 AND EIGHT MONTHS AFTER EIGHT MONTHS AND THE BLOODY THURSDAY OF OF THURSDAY BLOODY THE DECEMBER 2019, TWO 2019, DECEMBER YEARS

1.

he Parliament Press Center, the hall of true bloody drama, has been in existence for a long time.From there the MPs hold press conferences end. “It takes 61 votes to elect a President of Parliament, no matter where the election may be. On the stairs, in the restaurant or in some of the halls of parliament ”- Zaev tells VMRO-DPMNE colleagues. Around 1.30 pm, SDSM MP and President Zoran Zaev appears to speak. The Parliamentary Bureau says thepatience of the majority he leads is at wits’ DPMNE MPs continue at the Constituent Session for the new Parliament. At that session it is expected that the majority led by SDSM will elect Talat Dzhaferi as President of the Assembly. April A new 2017. day 27, in Parliament when the long debates between VMRO- the abusers and some of those responsible, but no one has been sentenced to prison for violating a journalist, cameraman or photojournalist. Many unanswereddilemmas and questions linger. remain an unfinished story has practically evaporated. Amnesty for some ofthose directly responsible,who arestill walking down the hallways of Parliament,has killed any glimmer of justice. There have been convictions for Journalists are often in the Press Center, in addition to very few of those having spent April 27 there, who are reminded that they survived the most traumatic day and night of their lives. The enthusiasm that April 27 will not as those MPs who allowed the thugs to come in and beat them. Hardly any of them mention this event. Each for their own reasons. This room has often seen the MPs who were trapped and locked in the corners of the room that night, some of their colleagues who defended them, as well everyday, make statements, reporters have broadcasts... Apart from the bullet hole in the ceiling, there is nothing to testify that such a drama was played out here not so long ago. T THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) crisis and tension”. and crisis greater even an into state the of plunge “a also but Assembly, the of work the and democracy in abreakthrough meant Zaev Zoran of announcement the that claimed conference apress at Miloshoski Antonio Later, when. exactly say not Does Parliament. of President as Talat Dzhaferi elect to ready is majority new the that reiterates He Center. Press the at conference a press announces Zaev pauses. session, the of Chair Trajko Veljanoski, 2pm, Around hall. the of out and in come They VMRO-DPMNE. from those especially around, moving are lawmakers palpable, is tension the apparent, becomes Nervousness present at the press center. press the at present MPs majority the with conference, a press announces Dzhaferi Dzhaferi. Talat congratulates and “Ayes” 61 concludes -Misovski votes majority The a coup!” is this a coup, is “This chant lawmakers VMRO-DPMNE President. for Talat Dzhaferi for vote to Parliament on calls Misovski .Goran deputy as Misovski Goran MP of leadership the over handing is who Muhikj, Ferid is age in Second moment. the at hall the in not is Manojlovski, MP, Branko oldest The President of Parliament . of -election topic next the to on move to decide MPs SDSM rostrum. the occupy and over take VMRO-DPMNE from Lawmakers tension. is There here. are journalists The present. not is Ahmeti Ali although DUI, and Albanians, of Alliance the VMRO-DPMNE, SDSM, from MPs are There hall. the in remain lawmakers Most leaves. and session the closes Trajko Veljanoski 6pm At on. stays microphone the while down sit MPs The anthem. Albanian the singing begins and word a procedural receives turn, his for waiting even not Ibrahimi, Zekirija member, BESA’s elections!” “elections, chant lawmakers VMRO-DPMNE and Name” One Have “We song the out belts he Then up. stand MPs all and anthem Macedonian the singing starts rostrum, the to goes Mukoski, Krsto VMRO-DPMNE, from MP The turn. their for waiting people still are there that excuse the with that, allow not does Veljanoski Parliament. of President for -voting topic next the to move to demands rostrum parliamentary the from Spasovski Oliver MP SDSM strong. running still are counter-remarks and remarks lawmakers’ VMRO-DPMNE the pm, 5.50 around At 4 THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) Goran Trpenoski, Goran Trpenoski, 5 no almost police. For two hours our lives were at the mercy the of attackers, the while police cametwo hours latertake So to us away. many pages I can write about a day April I want 27th, erase. to The next day I came the to Parliament at the the of scene attack. The debris was being cleared and we andthe others, the Macedonian history would have taken another course. In panic, he asked me stand to in the live wall help to because there werenot enough people. When plenty pictures of and reports had already been sent theto public and batteries on the phones had been removed, the by time the police intervened I was in the live wallprotecting lawmakers from the thugs who remained in the press room. Chaos. There was no security and beaten death. to Some the of journalists escaped, but I stayed with the other colleagues. As journalist, a it was duty my witnessto what was going on and alertto the public that there was an organized assault on Parliament, thus sending appeals the to authoritiesrespond. to There was a moment when there were not enoughpeople formingthe wall live that defended Zaev, Dzhaferi and other MPs. MP If Vlatko Gjorcev had not defend to come Zaev “The thugs started throwing everything they came across in the hall, screaming ... Zaev and the other MPs were attacked and injured, almost all them of with bloody heads and broken noses. MP Ziyadin Sela was nearly One ofthe reporters thatday reporting at theassembly was who was in the press center during the raid. Some of them are wearing black masks and black t-shirts and look like they are coordinating the mob. The protesters are already at the Banging door. on doors and shouts are heard. The door opens and there in the press center enters an angry mob. Spasovski, Manchevski, Sela and Dimitrievskiremove their neckties. Women MPsfrom the gallery go down to the lower part of the press center, where a makeshift from ladder desks falling. is shouts, and swearing began to be heard. The new President of Parliament is signaled from his party to come to the end of his address. In order to prevent entry, they closeand lock the door and remove the latch. Dzhaferi, Zaev, exists. The crowd who had beenprotesting for days at 6 pm every day jumped over the fence and gathered outside the main gate of Parliament. Atthe very next moment the door opened and the protesters came inside. Screams, At 7 pm the newly elected President, Dzhaferi, gives an address, while at the same time there is a live broadcast on TV NOVA, a TV station that no longer THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) covered in blood. Bloody kicks hit his head. Several people grabbed him by him grabbed people Several head. his hit kicks Bloody blood. in covered face his floor, the on already is Albanians of Alliance the of leader The before. than excited more even continue then to amoment for paused crowd The center. press the to attention the all drew that agunshot was there Suddenly could. they everything slammed center press the in crowd the in Participants the anarchy that buried democracy that day will be eternal. be will day that democracy buried that anarchy the of consequences the 27, says Tanurov April after years three Almost lence. vio Thursday Bloody the in journalists hardest-hit the of one is He agency. Tanurov Dimitar him. pulling started and arm the well as the news. Not to be repeated!” to be Not news. the as well as pictures, and videos watching veins and throughmy rushing adrenaline of days afew after situation life-threatening whole of the aware Iwas But happened. had ifnothing as Ilove. working profession Ikept journalistic the and life is the that but events, the on We Room. commented Press Parliamentary the to open Affairs of Internal Ministry the for waiting were my colleague, he’s a finr man and journalist!” And the same person, whose person, same the And journalist!” and man he’s afinr my colleague, avoice he’s Iheard say, him, point “Leave one At one. could my last be breath every that and stop never forever, would like lasted like Ifelt it they me. beating stop did not they but me, to rob managed they point one At shots. the had which phone, the away to take trying stomach, and head the on me hit kicks and fists with 5-6 people then ground, to the Ifell stroke first the After for. working Iwas medium what saw they when especially further, them angered it but to my neck, attached card apress Ihad shooting. Iwas because bloodied and attacked I was target. amoving became chaos, the on while reporting who, journalists the nor networks, social or screens TV on events the to watch shocked those neither happening, was what could believe one no day That to end. soon are - looming was of information freedom and democracy destroyed anarchy that day - the since 27, April years Three Thursday” deceased. “Bloody as known the without on life goes that acceptance and depression, anger, “bargaining”, denial, stages: five through go his time loved ones that during and death, of his year third the until is honored deceased the According to Christianity, grieving. loss, the to with cope left are his loved ones dies, aman “When is a journalist who at that time reported for the the for reported time that at who ajournalist is 6 Meta news news - THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) , spends, all day in Parliament. While 7 TV 21 a journalista from the corridors, hiding and looking for a way out the of legislature. Three people made me enter the cafeteria, me being of an accusing Albanian and telling me “our sisters and women are beautiful” and asking me explain to themto what I was going tell them to about these events. They me insulted The whole situation escalated in a short time, and we started running down “Bloody Thursday”, about what I saw with own my eyes, how I felt it on my own skin, and about the events that followed. No one deserves go to through event.” an such event, that.to similar it is black This spot in the history the of state was to be a turning point for the rebirth democracy, of freedom information, of rule end impunity law, of to and a returnconfidence to in the institutions the of system. The latest developments in the country are increasingly suggesting thatwe are now thein penultimate phase grief of depression,- after which we will have and reconcile on move to with not I’m life. happy talk to about but the was case reported as a robbery. days almost For not I could get 10 confirmation that I had reported the case, and the prosecution called me to testify almost months six later. Perhaps comparing horrific this event with death a stare seems exaggerated, but having in mind what we survived and what we went through after the Puttinga towel on face, my he took me out the of Parliament and on the way outhe was saying “he’s one us, of they hurt accident by “. him amI immensely gratefulthese to two people, whose identity doI not know Had today. it not been for them, I probably have wouldn’t ended up withonly a concussion. I reported the attack the to police and identified one the of few attackers, pull me out the of melting pot... A little confused, while with later, a bloody face I stood in front the of hall, a boy approached me and invited me go to withtake to me him out. lookedI at and disbelief in him hesitated follow to know becausehim I didn’t intentions or if his might I were fall sincere into a new ambush. I decided him. listen to to However, face I unfortunately started remember, failed to pulling me and managed to nationalist, chauvinistic offensive and rhetoric lunged towards the Albanians. Jashari is targeted by thugs. Zimer Jashari, the crowd rages in the press center, the insults are nationally based, with THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) celebrate that day as their second birthday. birthday. second their as day that celebrate future the in should Parliament the at April of 27th the survive to managed who those all that testifying is she later years Three injured. was too She day. Opetcheska Iskra with no human lives lost.“ lives human no with up ended to have happy also day, but that engagement of my professional proud Iam rationality. and calmness, reasonableness, maintain me helped which I possessed, know even not I might that strength inner the to know Icame disappear. moments, will not Inthose anger, powerlessness sadness, later, my sense of years more later, twenty even or years Assembly. Three inthe night that of usworking of all second birthday the to be probably everything, after a day and of gunpowder, a day of uncertainty, a day blood, of aday into turned of democracy acelebration to be supposed was which day day. That that happened of what explanation an for looking to. I’m still on holding were attackers the anger of the Ithink whenever goosebumps get Istill Parliament. inthe fallen of those eyes inthe Isaw of blood memory later, the erase Iwillnot years twenty or later years three ifit’s matter “No sometimes even choking on tear gas. We want justice for our work.” our justice for We want gas. tear on choking even sometimes conditions, weather inany night, and day work hours, fixed no have who people are They policy. editorial and police of protesters, midst inthe often need to be but they need protected also help, and as supported, they are they only do Not -journalism. world inthe profession best of the defenders best the are who and least the paid are who most, the give who ones the are field the on representatives media the all and cameramen the journalists, The report. my to response no had Ihave to this day but state, the sued Ialso stools, the through to escape while trying Isustained injuries today, the injuries and pain foot and inknee results still which and suffered, Ihave violence that physical the besides is that most me amazes What words. derogatory with was also reporting from the Parliament for for Parliament the from reporting also was 8 TV 21 TV on that that on THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) also reported for the A1on portal and 9 Gabriela Dimkovikj Mishevska the whole truth “ revealed! is suffered but a concussion, I know want an I don’t event is forgive. This to that does not deserve forgiveness, but responsibility without selective justice. The lawyer who led our proceedings us not told expect to too much when we seek reparation from the state. Why has no one taken care protecting of journalists and cameramen who may have been targeted the by angry mob? I do not forget, I do not forgive, I seek answers and I will seek them until the prosecution in the capacity a witness of remind to myself and re-live the traumas. These are moments that are not forgotten. The epilogue of been have should who those about unhappy me makes situation whole the punished. A groupthat was part the of organization has been convicted, but has justice not been fully met. know I don’t what the repercussions are theof indemnity procedure we have filed with fellow my cameraman who brought. After event this nothing can surprise me anymore. Long after April had I sleepless nights, strange dreams27, from which I woke up the in middle theof night. I have long dreamt and I am a war, tasked of with reporting it. At that time, it was important for me maintain to mind my and health, as soon after the events I became pregnant and had take to care the of other thatlife was developing in me. Nevertheless, I had make to statements to “April 27, 2017, wasand will remain the longest day That life. in my tense 2017, 27, “April dayin the Parliament culminatingin brutal and violence bloody scenesis not easy forget. to That day changed me as a person and as a journalist, I can say that I have matured, but I have not gotten numb the to traumas it following her long after April She has27. said that what’s worst is that justice for journalists has still not surfaced even three years later. the violence in the press center, the congress hall, and the congress hallways. She testified that trauma and stress, as well as bloody flashbacks have been On April 27, the Makfax news agency. She had been in the legislature until the evacuation ofthe lawmakers, journalists and Parliament officials. She was reporting from THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) the police were somehow complicit in the attack. the in complicit somehow were police the even testimony, his to According completely. attack the out carry to not decided someone that suspected is it later, years three Today, nearly thugs. the and MPs the between shield live the in stood and call Gjorchev’s Vlatko accepted they Trpenoski, Goran with Together ajournalist. as Parliament the Gjorgovski Branko a shoulder injury. a shoulder and head the to blows several sustained She program. live the in phone by reported She for. looking were they who and going were they where exactly knew they that was impression the and thugs, masked the noticed first She in. stormed crowd the when center press the in was Dushica long. day all tense and nervous felt she because day that off be to seemed something that and a plane” from it spot could “you that says She years. 15 least at Mrgja Dushica be punished so severely.“ should of that terrorism crime the committed to have and terrorists to be 27 of April consider convicts not the Ido For this reason, end. would it sure Iwas and unfolded events as hours those during to me clear was It itself. intrusion the before cancelled of been war, had of astate it ascenario been had If there statements. revolted to merely make but to attack choose did not simply row over. back inthe those practically because was Mostly everything and protestors the from resistance no had time that at police The out. MPs the to get action police like areal look to just seemed action police “The can do nothing”. The blood on Ziyadin Sela’s face haunted me for nights. nights. for me Sela’s Ziyadin haunted face on blood nothing”. do can The “I answer Ireceived the protesters, four with alone inahall up locked was who Stojanovska, Natasha for security of Parliament amember from help for Iasked When face. to the ablow got to this day. Ialso hurts my shoulder that my arm on so hit hard I got wall, the against me hit They me. “honored” that insults of the some aCypriot just were whore servant, Zaev’s sorority, Betrayal, handicap. additional an was me for screens recognized the on thugs and protesters the What everyone. for of survival chances the greater the broadcasting, I was detailed more and louder the 24. that TV I knew at team my about thought Ialso but myself, fear.only responsible for the not Iwas so did progressed, madness the As on. going was what 24 TV towith report intouch to get way any for looking away. Iwas right me hit adrenaline “The is a Parliament reporter who has been reporting daily for daily reporting been has who reporter aParliament is was an assistant editor at at editor assistant an was 10 Dnevnik at the time. He was at was He time. the at THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) 11 not I do justice. not forget and I do not forgive because that night the state was on its knees and we were all lynched.” me surrounded and tryingwith all might my push one to the of thugs out, shouting that breathe. I couldn’t Before the armed police forces came in to get us out, I really was choking. Then I thought not I’m going out - it’s over, alive. Threeyears later remember vividly I everydetail “Bloody of Thursday”. My message that is if there no for justice is that blood, the state never will have peace. A selective justice, upgraded extendedselective by amnesty is Before the smoke bombs exploded a Facebook in the post press shows center, left the site without waiting for the police, at their own risk. Gjorchev’s office. There were MPs and journalists there, some with bloody heads, broken noses,and some with torn clothes, there were Zoran Zaev and Dzhaferi.Talat An hour later, evacuation cordons were made. Some reporters spreading throughout the Parliament . There were shouts and glass was breaking.Journalists were waiting for their evacuation. They testify that after the police entered there was silence. The evacuation center was Vlatko It was pitch black outside at 10 pm. The smoke from the smoke bombs was cameramen, photographers who lost hope of leaving the Parliament that night alive are unanimous - justice has gone. Conclusion: “There is no justice, no peace” - the so-called colorful revolutionaries were chanting at the time. Three years since “Bloody Thursday”, and the journalists, THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) 1 PublishedonMakfaks: O providing them with free legal aid. legal free with them providing while done, damage the for perpetrators the sue to journalists the on called 2017, 8, May on Macedonia of Journalists of Association the incident, bloody the Following Macedonia. in democracy on spot ablack left that violence of target the were they And Macedonia. of Republic the of Parliament the come to an end,” an to come Our no presence has tocontributed murders. consequences, making this all consequences. serious no were there that way the in incident the to contributed had reporters the that said Trpenovski, Goran journalist the organizers, the of one 2018, 28, December announced, was initiative the day the On journalists. 15 over by joined was initiative The journalists. the by filed also was compensation and damages for state the sue to initiative An 2. photographers were not spared from the crowd that forcibly entered entered forcibly that crowd the from spared not were photographers and cameramen 27, 2017, journalists, -April Thursday” n “Bloody longer be silent to the violence they are exposed to. exposed are violence silent they be to the longer will no they that institutions and public to the amessage to send and to lately exposed been have they pressures and attacks the against to raise voices their journalists all to encourage wants AJM damaged. been has equipment whose or duties professional of their performance inthe threats and pressures to various exposed or physically assaulted been have who journalists to assistance all legal will provide AJM ACTORS PERSPECTIVE OFPOLITICAL IN PARLIAMENT FROMTHE ATTACK ONTHEREPORTERS https://makfax.com.mk/makedonija/makedonija/новинарите-бараат-правда-за-27-април-ќе/ “Our reporting has for there contributed to be reporting “Our no serious Trpenovski said. Trpenovski 1 12

THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) 2 Dzhaferi said. 13 https://mkd-news.com/dhaferi-se-nadevam-deka-situatsijata-ke-se-vrati-vo-normala-video/ fate; the fate MPs,fate; of administration or journalists cannot be separated. But as a whole something it is that should never have happened. In context,this there were also the journalists who and could not could identify themselves, and in that crowd, they shared the fate with all of us who were in that situation,” “Unfortunately the fate the of journalists was divided with the fate of the MPs and everyone else in the Parliament . So, that an indivisible is 2.1. “We shared the same fate” journalists, to never repeat “Bloody Thursday”. The head of the Parliament stated that therewere security breaches that led to the April 2017 27, attack. According to him, they have taken several initiatives to improve that part, and to all who work in the Parliament, including in Parliament.in According to him, the journalists, cameramen and photojournalists who were attacked that day shared thesame fate as everyone else at that moment Talat DzhaferiTalat also said that the events of April should 2017, not 27, have happened to the Republic of North Macedonia. Europe and Eurasia, Hoyt Brian Ji. After the meeting, he said he hoped the situation would return to normal, with the injured lawmakers returning to their homes and jobs as soon as possible. Following the election of Dzhaferi Talat as the new Speaker on April 2017, 27, chaos stirred up in the Parliament of Macedonia. He had his first official meeting after the election with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Published on MKD News: 2 THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) polozhba-za-napad-vrz-novinarite-i-pratenicite/ 4 3 Published on eportal: Publishedoneportal: Announcementby AJM:: suffered damage on April 27 to seek redress. seek to 27 April on damage suffered somehow who anyone and cameramen, journalists, urges Talat Dzhaferi instituted. were proceedings disciplinary 40 than more while work from suspended were officers police 23 journalists. and MPs attack to duty his misused apparently had someone said Spasovski, Oliver Affairs, Internal of Minister journalists. threatened and attacked physically They police. the of members were attackers Thursday” “Bloody the Among 2.2. “No one was safe that day” that safe one was “No 2.2. is before the competent authorities,” competent the is before that process whole encircle which the laws, the all from derives media the and of journalists right The redress. to seek journalists accredited have that outlets media own very the ifnot media, way, the including individual in an anyone, for here, point starting this is the Perhaps damages. claims for declare should by one, one institution, to the permitted is not that act an from derives that “Anyone act by an touched said. Dzhaferi security,” of internal function the of performing aspect is amandatory what decisions implementing and making inacting, influence external the to prevent inorder Assembly of the competence hierarchical in full be should which security of internal independence is of which the one points, operating key three with independence its and system functioning Parliament’s the to reform aprocedure initiated already have “We 4 https://iportal.mk/makedonija/spasovski-ochigledno-e-deka-nekoj-ja-zloupotrebil-svojata- https://znm.org.mk/знм-бара-казнување-на-насилството-про/ 14 Dzhaferi said. Dzhaferi 3 After asserting office, the the office, asserting After

THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) said Minister Spasovski. Minister said 15 contributed reducing to the attacks on journalists a minimal to level,” Spasovski said. “Since June 2017 there has been no physical unsolved assault June“Since on 2017 a journalist, and you are witnessing thata speedy such clearing has such a thingcan never be allowed again,” “Relying on own my “Relying experience as well - no one onthat day was safe in the Parliament building, neither we as MPs nor the journalists who were on official duty. After all, there are already valid court verdicts, evidence,testimonies, from so perspective this canI that conclude only journalists 2.3. The parties Bloody on Thursday the and attack on Thisis what has been stated by the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDUM).According to them, matter no whether they were journalists, cameramen, MPs or Parliament officials, they were all targeted by thugs. journalists cameramen, and that democracy, the constitutional order and freedom expression of and opinion were attacked. It was on one particular bloody Thursday, with an attack on parliamentarians, Spasovski says that there should be no doubts that journalists should seek compensation for damages done. on journalists will be cleared. He adds that April 27 can never be repeated in Macedonia. Spasovski says that after the start of their mandate they have made it clear that all attacks According to the Interior Minister, Oliver Spasovski, on that day, April 2017, 27, no one was safe. THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) journalists be improved. be journalists of conditions working the and professionalized be to are institutions the all when period, upcoming the in lies SDUM, to according challenge, Their higher awareness among political actors is needed. They add that their that add They needed. is actors political among awareness higher scenes, unpleasant avoid to order in that state VMRO-DPMNE addition, In way. any in suffered damage the fitting Macedonia of Republic the of laws the with accordance in compensated be should journalists the them, to According condemned. was violence of kind any said Parliament, into intrusion an provoked part in which protests, Macedonia” aCommon “For backing of accused been has which VMRO-DPMNE, say VMRO-DPMNE. work,” intheir protected fully be and rights all enjoy must Journalists democracy. to any fundamental are media critical and of speech Freedom voice public. the of the remain and been have journalists “The photographers.” and cameramen of journalists, safety the to raise working actively are we associations journalists’ and institutions with incooperation but inthis area, challenges still are there that We aware are work. at safety their regarding especially of journalists, conditions working the to improve institutions through measures taking are we government, of the head the as “As party, aresponsible political by Gruevski,” Nikola headed leadership VMRO-DPMNE of the interests exclusively criminal the served institutions the state, citizens the the and of serving Instead state”. “captured aconsequence of the was It regime. VMRO-DPMNE’s by created institutions dysfunctional and partisan to the bring can state citizens the the and harm much how shown has “This event SDSM said. 16 THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) the Alliance of Albanians Albanians of theAlliance 17 VMRO-DPMNEsaid. has violence. Thoseviolence. who their raised hand on the Parliament and on the journalists,their raised hand on democracy theand to laws according of ourcountry shouldnot remain unpunished,” stated.has mostly for the damage done those to who were there do to their job. we are case In this talking about the journalists whohave been talked about the least for the past two years. That why the is Alliance of Albanians has demanded and continues demand to accountability, as well as compensation for all those who have suffered at the hands of “Thoseshould responsible be held accountable for whatthey did, and for a better professional working atmosphere for journalists and media workers,” “Weare at the both disposalof you and anyone interested giving in us suggestionson the problems and needs that you face when dealing withbusiness, as the awareness the of government at the moment is very are here We and we low. are ready through joint initiatives work to in the past two years at least there was talk of journalists attending the Assembly their job. doing The Alliance of Albanians, who were also affected by the events of April since27, their leader Ziyadin Sela was one of those injured the worst, said program will provide solutions to improve the working conditions of media journalists.and THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) that many fellow journalists, cameramen and photographers allowed the allowed photographers and cameramen journalists, fellow many that said (CME), Ethics Media on Council the of Director Executive Tuneva, Marina to democracy, not hamper their work. their hamper not democracy, to asset an as workers media and media the protect should opinion-makers and leaders Political “enemies”. as media the portrays often which discourse, political current the change to all, of first crucial, is it that adds Tuneva workers. media and journalists on attack every and threat every violence, of act every judge systematically and unambiguously publicly, must government the that adds She and decadence. darkness chaos, of ocean an of existence the of confirmation acivilization, of point bottommost the of day the failed, system the when day the was her, it to According life. one’s of price the air, at the permeating still was horror the while “cage”, that in day, that happening was what into apeek take to public bloody scenes bloody the cover to lives their sacrificed Journalists 2.4. position to help end violence and harm on the media,” the on harm violence and end to help position is ina“unique” that government is It the pursued. urgently be should circumstances inall workers media and journalists against of crimes prosecution and investigation the and is obstacle, aserious “Impunity circumstances,” inother and workers media and journalists on attacks violence and for justification’ of ‘ amessage send incidents Such of concept truth. the on values, democratic on happening, was what to know right public’s the on attack an infact, were, day that place took that attacks “The said Marina Tuneva Marina CME. said from 18 Tuneva said. THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) ON APRIL 27 ON APRIL 19 THE ATTACKED JOURNALISTS JOURNALISTS ATTACKED THE THE DISPUTE RESOLUTION FOR FOR RESOLUTION DISPUTE THE

educator, physician, journalist,educator, social worker, notary public, lawyer or any other person who performs such work independently or as a legal entity that performs activities public of or general interest determined by law”. “A person who performs“A public interest work a person is who performs functions, duties or works public of or general interest, as such a teacher, 3.

n criminal law terms, journalists have the status of “persons who carry out public interest work”. They are covered by the Criminal Code in Article 3.1. Criminal responsibility theyused physical force and threats, committed violence against people, damagedand property. Prosecutor’s Office were filed three days after the riotsin the Parliament. On April 30, the 2017, Violent Crime Unit of the SIA Skopje reported 15 persons for criminal prosecution. According to the actions described in the report, The first criminal reports from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to the also emphasized in their decisions that the journalists were injured and assaulted. The frequency with which the term “attacked journalist” is used does not correspond to the prosecution and convictions. with the number of injured MPs, have been registered as a severe blow to democracy. As an argument for committing a crime, both the prosecution and the court, inthe casesstemming from theparliamentary unrest, have But thisdescription doesnot conferprivileges on journalists nor does it provide greater protection than any other citizen in the country. Physical attackson media representatives during the parliamentary intrusion, along

122, paragraph 9, which reads: I THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) that prevented officials from performing official duties. For the attempted attempted the For duties. official performing from officials prevented that amob in participating of guilty found been have people 21 while “violence”, of crime the of convicted been have people 10 of Atotal punishments. different thus and role, adifferent had Convicts bench. the to 74 people drew democracy for “fight” fierce the that show statistics Court Criminal Skopje processes. criminal serious more the instigated report This corruption). and crime organized (for Office Prosecutor’s the to 27 April to related information the all with report the filed Affairs Internal of Ministry 2017, the 14, July On probation. to sentenced were defendants Nine duty”. official an performing from official an prevent to amob in “participating of crime the for 2017, 23, May on pronounced was event this for verdict first the indictment, the filing and Office Prosecutor’s Skopje the at charges the processing After of the offense, which constitutes an act against the state. the against act an constitutes which offense, the of qualification the of because precisely harm, no is there procedure this in But prison. in years 211 of atotal receiving security, and order constitutional the of endangerment terrorist of indictees 34 involved case massive most The violence. the to witnesses as trial the during testified also Journalists Parliament. the in sustained he injuries serious the for treated was he where abroad, treatments medical expensive the to due compensation for amount particular MP this demanded The trial. the during defendants the from damages in Euros 500,000 sought who Sela, is case this in person damaged only The arrest. house from fled Vojminovski Nikola defendant the confirmation Appeal’s the to prior because however incomplete is case The accused. ten the for imprisonment of years 81 of atotal to down come would this numbers, In Appeals. of Court Skopje the by confirmed verdict, a final already is there Sela, Ziyadin Albanians, of Alliance the from MP the of murder 20 THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) 7 persons persons 10 1 person 1 person 1 person 9 person 2 persons 1 person 1 person 1 person 4 persons 2 persons 1 person 1 person 34 persons 34 Number of Number of defendants 21 Basic Criminal Court Skopje) a crime Violence public prevented Participation in a crowd official duties of in the performance official Violence public prevented Participation in a crowd official duties of in the performance official Violence public prevented Participation in a crowd official duties of in the performance official Violence Violence Violence public prevented Participation in a crowd official duties of in the performance official Murder Violence which will commit Participation in a crowd Violence Terrorist threat to the constitutional order the constitutional to threat Terrorist Criminal deed (Source: 3.2.pre-trial Main for criminal protection of journalists - two a half and years immobile Pavlovikj, Mrgja testified that she was physically assaulted by a person with an unknown identity. Medical evidence also concluded it was evidence ofviolence against Among her. other things, the journalist recounts and May 30, One month 2017. after Bloody Thursday, the Skopje Prosecutor’s Office summoned the first journalist, Dushica Mrgja, a TV employee 24 and eyewitness to the violence.In her testimony beforethe prosecutor, Zorica К-874/18 К-990/17 К-752/17 К-602/18 К-701/18 К-1893/17 К-1991/18 К-1330/17 К-1558/18 К-1560/18 К-1132/18 К-1163/18 К-1013/18 К-1077/18 all three subjects subjects all three 40/18 combined into КОК-40/18 КОК-56/18 595-87/18 In the further stream Case number THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) case had a journalist team been identified. been team ajournalist had case one only in 27. But April on Assembly the at present workers media twenty another summoned she that confirms analysis this for prosecutor the period, following the In MPs. towards actions attackers’ the describing on focused is testimony Their reporting. of days critical the during violence physical report not did they witness, first the Unlike questioning. for Office ecutor’s Pros the to summoned were Markovski) Jane and Hristov Bobby Nikolovska, Telma (Sonja from acameraman and journalists more two later, days Six Hall. Parliament the in present others against violence of acts as perpetrated were that acts the describes statements. their from foreseen be cannot changes any of Announcements attacker. the as identified been has person no that is block stumbling main the facts the all to according and stage, particular this at case the received he that clarifies Rajchev, Sasho Office, Prosecutor’s Skopje the of head current The have been identified,” identified,” been have persons no Affairs, of Internal Ministry the with incoordination checks 27th. April these on Based matter: RO -subject the from stemming 11 offenses We various handling for cases are identified. been has one no prosecution, by the made statements the of all Out journalist. the attacked who person of the Secondly, is indication no there journalists. attacked who individuals specific against charges criminal any filed not have police the that are of this prosecution particulars the and 2017.in December 27 to April related cases of all inspection Idid an Skopje Office Prosecutor’s Public of the Chief Acting appointed “I was was announced,” it although witnesses of by the any provided been has documentation medical no far toSo prosecute. difficult are identified be cannot who Those them. hit who could we determine which during well, as hearing main the for inand called were cameramen and journalists “More said the prosecutor Pavlovikj. prosecutor the said says Rajchev. says 22 - THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) says lawyer Philip 23 received any informationreceived fromthe prosecution about the ongoing procedure. Given the fact that there now is a danger in obsolescence of proceedingscivil we are collecting documentation with those journalists who will decide the sue to Republic Macedonia,” of Medarski. “Wehave no officialinformation on the regarding case theinjured journalists. asWe, representativesseveral of them, of have not yet 3.3. The case of attacked an cameraman has been wandering through court mazes for two years names and surnames of people who would all be exempt from criminal prosecution, but there were yet still some who could not be exempt. Among them is Ilija Petrushevski, who was rejected for amnesty. Most were One of the reasons for the delay is the Amnesty Law, which was unanimously adoptedby the Parliament in December 2018 with 95 “Ayes”. Ilija Petrushevski is among those who sought mercy from the court. The law did not provide Manchevski appeared as witnesses. For more than a year the case has been an ongoing one (December 2019) and there has been no end to it yet. Nikola Ordevski. The trial against Petrushevski was for the crime of violence. In this case, the Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and the Minister ofIT Damjan On May 16, 2018 the Skopje Prosecutor’s Office filed the first and so far only indictmentagainst one person, Ilija Petrushevski and one injured cameraman, his head and the night ended at a hospital in Skopje, being treated for a concussion. Ordevski shares details in the prosecution,and even more so the courtroom.in prosecuted. On April Nikola 27, Ordevski was working as a cameraman in the Parliament. When the angry mob entered the press room he was already present anddocumenting theviolence, until he suffered a severe blow to From the interviews of journalists, cameramen and photographers that the prosecution claims to have called to testify, only one attacker has been i.e. a file is in place. Neither journalists nor their legal representatives have been informed about the course of this procedure. This case was opened by the Public Prosecutor’s Office Skopje after receiving a report from theMinistry of Internal Affairs and it has not been closed yet, THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) associations. patriotic of representatives Petropovski, Miter and Slavevski Ilija Simovski, Zaharije and organization, Thursday Bloody of details revealed first who Mladenovski, Mihail and Stefan brothers Docevska-Bozhinovska, Elena and Cvetanovski Ivan Speaker, Parliament then the of Office the in employees the Damovski, Boris and Jovanovski Vlado Ilievski, - Bogdan Macedonia” Common a “For initiative the of organizers the Dimovski, Ljupcho and Tarchulovski Johan Vasilevski, Sasho Arnaudov, Ljuben Mukoski, -Krsto MPs five The 18. to halved was indictees of number the security, and order constitutional endangering of accused indictees 33 the of Out case. worst the in pardoned is an injured media representative, as the attacker is identified. is attacker the as representative, media injured an is there which in case only the is this that explains Pavlovikj Prosecutor period. a short for trial the delay procedures filing the amnesty, no is there Although of Parliamentary Events of April 27, of April Events of 2017). Parliamentary Accused Convicted and Suspects, for Amnesty on Law the Code (excerpt from 18, 19, to Articles Code in relation Criminal 23the 24 and Criminal of the 324 to inArticle referred of “Association Activity” crime Hostile of the for perpetrators the as well as Code, 386 Criminal of the to inArticle referred “Violence” crime of the perpetrators to the apply not This does 4) exception 27, April from of Republic Macedonia of the Assembly in the events with 2017 in connection a crime committed of having suspected persons “amnesty”) as to referred (hereinafter imprisonment from release fully and proceedings criminal terminate prosecution, (1) criminal exempt shall This Law 1 - Article prosecutor Pavlovikj. could easily identified,” and be masked is not Thishim. gunman identified further police the and directions, gave we and footage the how. him We and watched injured who knows he because hearing main the record and court the to both summoned was Nikola “Ordevski 24 said said THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) said lawyer Davidovikj. Zvonko 25 submitted them on the the of basis Law on Obligations that in the event actsof or violence terror of in public demonstrations or manifestations the state Under responsible. is the same law on physical suffering, violating a person’s rights entitled is compensation to and on basis this we expect the state The pay. plaintiffs to were present in the Parliament despite confusion, anxiety and fear,” “Thelawsuit the to Court Skopje Civil First of Instance was filed on for two media representatives. 2019 December 11, Medical expertise has been prepared, including a report a neuropsychiatrist. by have We 3.4. The road to justice is shorter civil in proceedings theirduties in Parliament. Mishevska’s damages amounted to 350,000 denars due tostress, and Ordevski claims 450,000 Euros in damages because he was physically assaulted. Waitingfor justice in the Criminal Court, Makfaxnews agency cameraman Nikola Ordevski and his colleague, journalist Gabriela Dimovikj Mishevska, meanwhileare filinglawsuits for damagesas injured parties whileperforming THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) journalistic rights in criminal matters. criminal in rights journalistic strengthening on underway is adiscussion and CC, anew drafting on working already is Justice of Ministry the of group working OSCE-mediated The as officials would imply a package of rights. of apackage imply would officials as responsibilities and duties same the way this in because terminologically, equate to not But officials. of level the at protection of area the in (CC), Code Criminal the in intervention through is considerations the of One reporting. journalistic of scope the in days safer guarantee to required are Solutions protection. of area the in legislation the changing at aimed are associations journalistic SSNM and AJM the of 27 April on Assembly the in scenario bloody the following commitments main The open. still is raised and addressed be to needs that issue The victims. are they where cases in justice in confidence lose increasingly journalists why reason the are proceedings court Lengthy 3.5. Legislating the security of journalists journalists of security the Legislating 3.5. especially in electronic media,” inelectronic especially proceedings, incourt of ajournalist status the tocover determine how that issues previous with along is reviewed It Code. being Criminal new of the drafting the on working group to“This issue aworking is open Philip Medarski. profession,” inthe working is ajournalist injured ifthe form difficult more a qualified, to provide journalists, of endangering danger is apotential there where cases those inall Codeand Criminal Special inthe to intervene To profession. is their it appropriate out this, achieve in carrying officials as protection identical enjoy they that such a way in of journalists criminal-legal protection the to increase “It is necessary 26 the Ministry of Justice said. Justice of Ministry the says lawyer lawyer says THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) 27 persons” would be equated with officials-victims, and not held accountable as perpetrators of offenses while on official duty. in which they are victims or objects of attack, and that attack equates to the amount of punishment as if it were an attack on an official. In this way journalists - victims of crime, who are already treated as “public interest One of the most favorable aspects is the protection of journalists as persons most exposed to crisis situations to be elevated to the point of addition to specificcrimes (endangering security, violence, assault on an official, etc.) status of “official” is expected to imposecriminal responsibility for a written text, something Macedonia left behind in 2012. Identifyingjournalists as officials wouldincrease the ability of law enforcement agencies to use Special Investigative Measures (SIM) against journalists. Ultimately, freedom of expression would lose its meaning, as that - an offense forwhich the prescribed sentence ismore thansix months imprisonment. of officials, there is a danger ofimposing criminal-law actions and thus achieving the opposite objective. Being part of the group of official persons, journalists could go also go to trial for misuse of their official responsibilities is “a person who performs public interest”, as do doctors, lawyers, teachers... One of the undesirable possibilities is that if journalists aregiven the status One aspect of the security issue is that journalists do not naturally belong to the group of officials, but that their position insocial life in relation tothe CC THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017) Association ofJournalistsMacedonia www.znm.org.mk

THE ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS (OF APRIL 27, 2017)

Association of Journalists of Macedonia