Macedonia Braces for New Clashes after Dozens Hurt in Protests
Macedonia braced for more protests Wednesday after dozens were injured in a night of violent clashes sparked by a long-running political power struggle that threatens to destabilize the country.
The capital Skopje was calm after more than 40 people, mostly police officers, were injured and 30 protesters were detained in the clashes that erupted late Tuesday. A new demonstration was planned for Wednesday evening.
Protesters gathered following an opposition leader's accusation that the cabinet of conservative Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski had covered up the 2011 murder of a 22-year old man beaten by police during post-election celebrations.
The accusations are the latest in an ongoing struggle between Gruevski and main opposition party leader Zoran Zaev that has threatened Macedonia's democracy.
Protests ended only after police used teargas and water cannons to disperse some 1,000 people who demanded the government's resignation.
"Some 38 policemen received medical treatment after protesters hurt them with objects in front of the government building," Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska told reporters.
Two police officers were hospitalized with serious head injuries, doctors said.
At least four protesters and one photographer were slightly injured in the protest.
Chanting "Murderers! Murderers!" protesters threw objects and broke windows at the government building, attacked cars parked nearby and torched several rubbish skips.
Political tensions in Macedonia have been running high since January when the government filed a complaint against Zaev and four other people, accusing them of espionage and violence against officials.
Having rejected the accusations, Zaev in return accused the government of wiretapping at least 20,000 people, including politicians, journalists and religious leaders.
The stand-off has thrown the country into a deep political crisis, prompting the European Union to call for dialogue.
The opposition announced a massive anti-government rally in mid-May.
Source: Agence France Presse
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