A heavy gun incident has shocked the city of Kumanovo this afternoon, where doctor Zekirija Shaini, senior Democratic Union official (DUI) and part of the Alliance’s Likova Municipality coalition list, has been injured.
The event, confirmed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, occurred around 13:54 in front of the Kumanovo Municipality building, raising concerns about the security of political figures in the run -up.
According to the official announcement of the Sector for Internal Affairs (SPB) in Kumanovo, two unknown, masked persons opened fire with Kalashnikov automatic weapons towards Shain’s vehicle, a Volkswagen type vehicle with Macedonian license plates.
As a result of the attack, Shaini suffered a leg wound, but thankfully is out of danger to life.
He was immediately taken to the city hospital for first medical aid, where he is being treated for minor wounds.
Police have found over 20 cartridges coming out of the Kalashnikov firearm at the scene, where it is learned that Shain’s vehicle was severely damaged.
In the meantime, police have launched an operation to apprehend their perpetrators, while the Kumanovo Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office sent two prosecutors to the scene to collect material evidence, including ballistic traces and evidence of possible eyewitnesses.
“Regarding the incident in Kumanovo, two public prosecutors from the Kumanovo Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office have gone to the scene and are taking investigative actions. Initial indications show no political motives after the armed incident, but all the circumstances are being verified, ” It is stated in the prosecution’s response.
This attack comes in a political context in Northern Macedonia, where the DUI, as part of the ruling coalition, is preparing for the upcoming local elections.
Shaini, 52, from the village of Slupcan in the municipality of Lipkovo, is a well-known figure in the DUI ranks and has been active in European integration and public health campaigns.
For its part, the DUI has strongly condemned the event by describing it as a barbaric act.
“We are concerned about the armed attack on our candidate and the list holder in the municipality of Lipkovo, who was shot by masked men and injured. Thankfully, his life is out of danger and he is taking the necessary medical care.
We strongly condemn this barbaric act of violence and ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Public Prosecutor’s Office to react immediately, with full transparency and firmly, to identify, arrest and bring to justice the perpetrators of this assassination.
We call on all our supporters, sympathizers and citizens in general to maintain calm, not fall prey to provocations, and show the prudence that has always characterized our movement.
In solidarity with the injured and to emphasize the seriousness of the event, our party decides to suspend today’s activities, while institutions take concrete steps to restore public trust and security on the ground”DUI writes in its reaction.
