Five detained in Skopje raids over alleged terrorism and arms trafficking

Five people have been detained in Skopje following a series of raids targeting a group accused by North Macedonian authorities of terrorism-related activity, extremist propaganda and illegal weapons trafficking.

The country’s Interior Ministry and National Security Agency (ANB) carried out searches at 12 locations in Skopje, including areas of Čair and the villages of Singelić and Brest.

Authorities said the operation resulted in the seizure of an alleged ISIS flag, automatic rifles, a sniper rifle, pistols, ammunition, radios, mobile phones and significant amounts of cash in both local and foreign currencies.

According to police, one of those detained, identified as K.I., 34, was allegedly linked to an ISIS branch and accused of indoctrinating young people and distributing extremist propaganda.

K.I., along with B.A., 24, and E.S., 30, is also accused of the unauthorized possession and trafficking of weapons and ammunition, authorities said.

The ANB described the alleged network as a religiously radical group with links to transnational criminal activity. Authorities said the group was suspected of involvement in crimes including extortion, kidnapping, usury, drug trafficking and weapons dealing.

According to the security agency, most members of the group allegedly followed radical imams who promoted international terrorist organisations. Some of those detained were also said to have links to foreign terrorist fighters from North Macedonia and the wider Western Balkans.

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and that further details would be released as the legal proceedings develop.
The allegations have not been established in court, and those detained are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.