What happened: Two perpetrators from Veles attempted to rob two Macedonian minors, but stopped
the robbery when the victims started talking in Macedonian language. Later, one of the perpetrators
stole a bag from a Syrian national, after which started to run away. When he noted that a group of
migrants ware in pursuit, he fi red one shot from a gas gun in the air.
Date, time and location of the incident: August 15th/16th, 11:30-04:00hrs, in Gevgelija.
Source of information: The electronic media telegraf.mk.
Victim(s) involved: One Syrian, and two Macedonian nationals.
Type of the crime(s): Robbery (Art.237 CCRM), Armed robbery (Art.236 CCRM).
Perpetrator(s): Two male perpetrators.
Brief description of incident with bias indicators: In this incident, the bias motive is the ethnic origin,
citizenship or language, and the bias indicators are:
1. Difference in ethnic background– the ethnic background of the perpetrators and the victim differ;
the victim is a member of a group (Syrian migrant) that is overwhelmingly outnumbered by members
of another group (Macedonian population) in the area where the incident occurred
2. Pattern of previous incidents – this incident is the latest of a growing trend of robberies and assaults
against migrants.
Status of the case: Criminal charges submitted.
Response of local authorities: Answering upon a Request for information of public character, the
Ministry of Interior Affairs (MOI) answered that they have submitted criminal charges for the act of
Robbery (Art. 237 CCRM).
Impact on the victim(s) and the community: This incident puts into question the safety of migrants
entering and passing through the country.
