Macedonian president revokes all remaining pardons in wiretap scandal
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 6 June 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Macedonian president revokes all remaining pardons in wiretap scandal, 6 June 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/576901af3b.html [accessed 2 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 06, 2016
By RFE/RL's Balkan Service
In April, Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov issued pardons for 56 officials who were prosecuted over their involvement in the scandal, leading to nationwide protests and the cancellation of elections set for June 5.
President Gjorge Ivanov has revoked all the remaining pardons he granted to officials implicated in Macedonia's wire-tapping scandal.
The move on June 6 was demanded by Macedonia's opposition party and had been urged by the European Union and the United States.
In an EU-brokered deal last year, Macedonia's political parties agreed to hold early elections and that a special prosecutor should investigate allegations that former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and his close allies authorized eavesdropping on more than 20,000 people.
Ivanov in April issued pardons for 56 officials who were prosecuted over their involvement in the scandal. The pardons led to nationwide protests and the cancellation of elections set for June 5.
Macedonia's parliament last month passed legislation that enabled Ivanov on May 27 to revoke his decision to pardon 22 politicians.
On June 6, Ivanov announced the cancellation of the pardons for the other 34 people.
With reporting by Reuters and Balkan Insight
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
