A German citizen was punished in an urgent procedure with a suspended prison sentence and expulsion from North Macedonia for displaying the flag of “Great Albania” at a sporting event.
The Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office Skopje charged him with the criminal offense of inciting hatred, discord or intolerance on a national, racial, religious or other discriminatory basis.
He was accused because on August 5, immediately before the football match between FK Shkendija and FK Karabag, by displaying and waving the flag of “Great Albania” and the inscription “Autochthonous”, he caused feelings of hatred, discord and intolerance on an ethnic basis.
Based on the evidence obtained in coordination between the police and the competent prosecutor’s office, the Basic Criminal Court Skopje immediately pronounced a verdict declaring the defendant guilty and sentencing him to a suspended prison sentence of two years, which will not be executed if the convicted person does not commit a new criminal offense in the next 5 years.
At the same time, given that he is a foreign citizen, the court decided to expel him and forbid him from entering the country for the next five years, reported the Skopje media.
In the meantime, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Public Prosecutor’s Office continue to take coordinated activities to detect and identify perpetrators of criminal acts of spreading hatred and intolerance in connection with sports competitions.
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Source: Euronews, Photo: RTS