Macedonian 'Colourful revolution' issues ultimatum Monday June 06,2016

Thousands of Macedonians have marched through the capital on Monday June 06,2016, even as President Gjorge Ivanov rescinded pardons of 34 politicians under criminal investigation in an effort to quell nearly two months of protests in the former Yugoslav country. 

Up to 5,000 people marched from the Macedonian Special Prosecutor’s office on Monday evening to government offices in central Skopje.

Heavily armed riot police tried to block routes, but demonstrators passed their barricades after brief clashes.

Monday’s march also marked the five-year anniversary of the death of 22-year-old Martin Neskoski, who was beaten to death by police during post-election celebrations in 2011.
Outside the government offices, activists called on the government, including the president, to resign.

"We call on the government to stop the prosecution of the protesters," 30-year-old Simona Spirovska told the crowd, referring to dozens of activists who were dealt criminal charges related to damaging government buildings and historical monuments.

Starting in early April 2016, the 55 days of nationwide protests have been dubbed the “colourful revolution” due to activists' use of paint to cover government buildings and government-funded statues across the country, particularly in Skopje and Bitola, the second largest city.

 

In Skopje, activists used makeshift slingshots to pelt the government offices with paint-filled balloons on Monday before marching to the city centre and covering much of the ground in red paint.

Having already withdrawn 22 pardons late last month, President Gjorge Ivanov on Monday June 06,2016 revoked the remaining 34 pardons he had granted to officials under investigation for their alleged involvement in a wire-tapping scandal in which more than 20,000 people were monitored.

Among those under investigation is former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and several of his close associates.

Many of those who had been pardoned belong to President Ivanov’s ruling conservative party, the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organisation - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity