AJM and SSNM with a petition to the Ministry of Interior regarding the arrest of journalist Furkan Saliu

The Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM) and the Independent Union of Journalists and Media Workers (SSNM) will submit a formal complaint to the Department for Internal Control, Criminal Investigations and Professional Standards of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) regarding the arrest of journalist Furkan Saliu.

The complaint highlights the violations of the journalist’s rights in three main points:

1. Unprofessional behavior and use of excessive force during the deprivation of liberty by officials, supported by material evidence;
2. Forced deletion of video materials by journalists, related to the incident, against the law, a procedure that is impermissible and raises many questions related to the incident and the potential need to hide something from the public; and
3. Illegal search of a private motor vehicle;

AJM and SSNM demand that internal control investigate these allegations immediately and that the Ministry of Internal Affairs take appropriate steps against the officers involved during the entire incident.

This must happen as soon as possible since we are in a sensitive pre-election period. This is essential to deter potential future perpetrators of violations of the rights of media workers, thereby protecting freedom of expression.

We point out that depriving journalists of their freedom, especially when it happens during the performance of their professional duties, is an impermissible measure, especially in conditions where there are indications that several omissions are made while performing it. It is necessary for the police to strictly follow established procedures and the law in these cases, to prevent any violation of journalists’ rights.