Police Clashes with Macedonian Protesters Over Anti-Government Turmoil

Over 2,000 protesters clashed with Macedonian police officers in the center of the capital Skopje, as they demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister.

The main reason for the turmoil was a wiretapping scandal that involves Macedonian PM and leader of nationalist VMRO-DPMN party Nikola Gruevski, Reuters reported.

Opposition leader of the pro-democratic opposition party SDSM, Zoran Zaev revealed tapes that allegedly prove that Gruefski has been involved in a number of illegal schemes. A further shocking detail has been stated – that the Macedonian PM had been involved in a tragic case of 2011, when a young boy had been beaten to death by a police officer.

The officer responsible for the death of the 21 year-old Martin Neskovski was later sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Gruevski, in his turn, has denied all allegations and accused the opposition leader of misusing power and public interest to start an anti-government turmoil. 

Protesters in Skopije have set a number of trash bins on fire, have attacked policemen with stones, and are continuing to gather on the main square in the Macedonian capital.

Many of them screamed, ''Murderers! Murderers!'', and ''Go back home, Gruyo!'', here refering to the  shortened name of PM Gruevski.

So far close to 19 policemen have been injured, and the number among protesters currently varies, but among them is a journalist and another photo reporter on site. Local authorities were reported to respond violently to any attacks using gas and force to push back people.

Zaev has urged protesters in front of the Parliament building to remain calm and to avoid resorting to violence.

Meanwhile, a number of EU representatives have reacted to the events, stating that young people of Macedonia should be fighting police brutalities and should not be giving up. 

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