Authorities in North Macedonia have detained a Macedonian national suspected of planning to enlist in the Russian army to participate in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This arrest marks the first instance of such charges being brought against a Macedonian citizen.
According to the Interior Ministry of North Macedonia, the suspect, identified only by his initials J.K., was apprehended late on Friday. An investigative judge has since placed him under house arrest for a period of 30 days. The charges leveled against him include "participating in a foreign army, police, paramilitary or parapolice formation," which could result in a minimum sentence of three years if he is convicted.
The ministry revealed that J.K. had been in online communication with an individual claiming to be a recruiter for the Russian army, offering a compensation of 3,000 euros for joining a newly formed detachment. It was reported that J.K. traveled to Moscow in October, allegedly to sign a contract for service in the Russian military and undergo training for combat in Ukraine.
Upon his return to North Macedonia, J.K. was interrogated at Skopje airport, where he disclosed his intentions to join the Russian forces. Following this, police conducted a raid on his residence, seizing various documents related to the case.
As a NATO member since 2020, North Macedonia has imposed sanctions on Russia and previously provided military aid to Ukraine. The arrest underscores the country's commitment to upholding its international obligations and preventing its citizens from engaging in foreign conflicts.
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