Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: The "lions" beat tonight: alleged ill-treatment of Macedonian citizens by paramilitary police.

Index Number: EUR 65/025/2002
Date Published: 1 December 2002
Categories: Europe And Central Asia, Macedonia

Amnesty International is concerned that Cano Canoski and Vebija Saloski were allegedly severely beaten and threatened with guns and knives by members of the "Lions", while they were gathering wood in Odjovo Kutli, near Struga, on 3 April 2002. The "Lions" are a mono-ethnic paramilitary police force set up by the Interior Ministry. To Amnesty International's knowledge no adequate investigation into the alleged ill-treatment of Cano Canoski and Vebija Saloski has been undertaken, and it appears that the authorities are reluctant to investigate the case.