What happened: After the football match between FC Shkupi and FC Vardar, approx. twenty members
of the Supporter’s club Komiti (FC Vardar) assaulted a group of people on “Macedonia” Square, after
saying that the Square is no place for Albanians, infl icting severe injuries on the victims
Date, time and location of the incident: August 9th, 21:00 hrs, “Macedonia” Square, Skopje.
Source of information: The media Alsat-M.
Victim(s) involved: Approx ten Albanian people, including women.
Type of the crime(s): Violence (Art.386 CCRM), Heavy bodily harm (Art.131 CCRM).
Perpetrator(s): Approx. twenty members of SC Komti.
Brief description of incident with bias indicators: In this incident that occurred during a sports
match, the bias motive is the ethnic origin, citizenship or language, and the bias indicators are:
1. Difference in ethnic background – the members of SC Komiti are Macedonians, while the victims are
Albanians;
2. Timing – the incident occurred after a football match between clubs with supporters / fans from
different ethnic background;
3. Comments at the scene – During the incident, the perpetrators stated that “Macedonia” Square is
no place for Albanians.
4. Nature of violence – the incident was carried out in public;
5. Lack of other motives.
Status of the case: Criminal charges submitted against two perpetrators.
Response of local authorities: The MOI reported via the media that they have submitted criminal
charges against two suspects for the act of Violence. Answering upon a Request for information
of public character, the Ministry of Interior Affairs (MOI) answered that they are undertaking the
necessary measures for full clarifi cation of the case.
Impact on the victim(s) and the community: This incident puts into question the ethnic coexistence
between the two major communities in the country and the safety of people present at, or in vicinity
of sports matches.
