Smilkovci lake killings

Coordinates: 42°01′06″N 21°28′58″E / 42.018342°N 21.482713°E / 42.018342; 21.482713
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Smilkovci lake killings
Part of 2012 Republic of Macedonia inter-ethnic violence
Smilkovci lake killings is located in North Macedonia
Smilkovci lake killings
Smilkovci lake killings
LocationSmilkovci Lake, near the village of Smilkovci, Butel Municipality, Greater Skopje
Coordinates42°01′06″N 21°28′58″E / 42.018342°N 21.482713°E / 42.018342; 21.482713
Date12 April 2012
19:45[1] (UTC+1)
TargetEthnic Macedonian civilians
Attack type
Mass murder
WeaponsAutomatic firearms
Deaths5
ConvictionsAgim Ismailovic (life)
Afrim Ismailovic (life)
Alil Demiri (life)
Fejzi Aziri (15 years)
Haki Aziri (9 years)

The Smilkovci Lake killings (Macedonian: Убиствата кај Смилковско езеро) also called the Smilkovci Lake massacre (Macedonian: Масакрот кај Смилковско езеро) was the killing of five ethnic Macedonian civilians that took place on 12 April 2012.[2] They were shot and killed at a man-made lake near the village of Smilkovci, outside the Macedonian capital Skopje.[3]

According to the Macedonian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the attack was carried out with the intent to "incite fear and insecurity"[4] and the ministry called it a "deliberate terrorist act aimed at destabilizing the country".[3] The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights criticized the ministry for prematurely judging the suspects as guilty.[5]

On 30 June 2014, after an 18-month trial, Alil Demiri, Afrim Ismailoviq (also known as Afrim Ismaili), Agim Ismailoviq (also known as Agim Ismaili), Fejzi Aziri, Haki Aziri and Sami Luta were sentenced to life imprisonment.[6] Demiri and Ismailoviq were tried in absentia, since they were imprisoned in Kosovo for unlawful possession of weapons,[6][7] and extradition procedures were underway. One defendant, Rami Sejdi, was released for lack of evidence.[8][9]

On 1 December 2017, Macedonia's Supreme Court overturned the convictions and ordered a retrial over procedural errors.[10] In February 2021, the five men were once again found guilty and handed sentences ranging from nine years to life imprisonment.[11]

Killings[edit]

Four of the five men killed were between 18 and 20 years of age, and the fifth was 45 years old.[12]

Aftermath[edit]

Early police work[edit]

After the residents of the villages where the victims lived heard about the killings, angry crowds blocked the highway near the Smilkovci lake. An OSCE vehicle was attacked after an OSCE employee drove the vehicle towards an angry crowd of ethnic Macedonians. Interior Minister Gordana Jankuloska said in a press conference that "more than one perpetrator" killed five fishermen and that "by this point we [the police] are still unable to say that the killings were ethnic-related because the police have no suspects".[13]

On 15 April, the Macedonian police contacted police in neighboring countries and found a car thought to have been used by the killers near the border with Kosovo. The Interior Minister said that the police had the killers' "profile" but had not identified them.[14]

Operation Monster[edit]

In the early hours of 1 May 2012 about 800 police officers raided 26 properties, arresting 20 people on a variety of charges. They were confirmed by Macedonian Interior Minister Gordana Jankuloska as Islamic fundamentalists, some of whom had fought in Pakistan and Afghanistan.[15][16] The arrests took place in the villages of Šuto Orizari, Jaja Paša and Aračinovo, and weapons were found in the residences of the suspects.[17] Also, among the seized items, National Liberation Army propraganda was present.[18][19] The police used surveillance and phone tapping during the operation.[20]

In addition to primary assailants Afrim Ismailoviq (alias Afrim Ismaili), Agim Ismailoviq (alias Agim Ismaili), Alil Demiri, Fejzi Aziri and Rami Sejdi, police also charged a number of co-conspirators and associates. At the home of Nazif Memeti, police found a handgun and ammunition. Ibrahim Zajdini possessed an automatic firearm, several magazines of ammunition and a hand grenade. Sixty-year-old grandmother Feride Bilalli possessed substantial ammunition for automatic firearms, ammunition belts for machine guns, military camouflage clothing with National Liberation Army insignia and symbols, and NLA identity cards and photo albums. Father and son Isni and Ramadan Asani had weapons in their home. A special report to the public prosecutor was filed against Qezmedin Demiri, Haki Aziri, Muamer Qailovski (alias Muamer Qaili), Besim Hajdari, Mervan Memeti, Abdula Rashitov (alias Abdula Rashiti), Suraj Asipi, Mirvet Ismailoviq (alias Mirvet Ismaili), Kimet Demiri, Qani Aziri and Rami Xhaviti.[21][22] On 3 May 2012, 13 of the 20 arrested suspects were released and charges were brought against four others for weapons possession.[23][24]

Protests[edit]

Protests were organised in cities and towns throughout Macedonia, two of which turned violent: in the village of Smiljkovci (the victims' home) and the city of Skopje. The Skopje protest was organized by young people, who wanted to march in the Saraj Municipality where there is an Albanian-speaking majority. The protesters were stopped by police, which sparked a 10-minute conflict between police and protesters.[25] The protesters were recorded as chanting, "A good Albanian is a dead Albanian" and "Gas chambers for the Albanians".[26][27][28][29] A large, peaceful protest was reportedly organised by Čkembari in Bitola, where Macedonian demonstrators marched through the main street of Širok Sokak and lit candles for the victims under the city's clock tower.[30]

Operation Monster reaction[edit]

On 4 May 2012 fifteen to twenty thousand ethnic Albanians protested in Skopje in support of the accused, demanding the release of the arrested Albanians and chanting "To be an Albanian is not a crime", UÇK", and "See you in the mountains". Protesters threw rocks at police and smashed the windows of a bus stop. Shukri Alia, blacklisted by the EU and wanted by Macedonian police for murder and armed attacks on two Skopje police stations, led efforts to organise protests; according to police, Alia was hiding in Kosovo. Kosovo Internal Affairs Minister Bajram Rexhepi said that any murder suspects hiding in Kosovo would be arrested.[31][32][33][34][35]

The following day, US Republican politician Joseph J. DioGuardi, ethnic Albanian by origin, said: "The Macedonian and Serbian governments have designed a well-orchestrated top secret plan, aiming to compromise and stain the freedom-loving Albanian people in front of the world public opinion. Albanians are facing brutal tortures which have taken ultra-nationalist connotations. The Albanian people are not terrorists".[36]

Former NLA commander Xhezair Shaqiri said that he would begin a guerrilla war to protect Albanians in Macedonia and the Morava River valley. Shaqiri met with former National Liberation Army and Kosovo Liberation Army (UÇK) members, discussing the need to protect the Albanian populations of Macedonia and southern Serbia against "ethnic cleansing".[37]

On 11 May, five[38] to ten thousand[39] Albanians protested in front of the government building in Skopje demanding fair trials for the accused. Waving Albanian flags, they shouted "Albanians are not terrorists", "we are not terrorists, we are Albanians", "KLA (Kosovo Liberation Army)", "Greater Albania" "die, infidels", "murderers" "death to the Giaours"[40] and "UÇK", and smashed windows in government offices and court buildings. Six policemen, one reporter and one cameraman were injured. The demonstrators also carried banners accusing Serbs and Macedonians of responsibility for the killings.[41][42][43][44][45]

According to the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, the Ministry of Internal Affairs "pressured the media and the courts of law" by prematurely judging the suspects "guilty for the crime, which is not in accordance with European standards". Concern was also expressed for Haki Aziri, who—under the witness protection program—was missing for six days before he appeared in court.[5]

In February 2021, Agim and Afrim Ismailovic, Alil Demiri, and Fejzi and Haki Aziri were once again found guilty by the Skopje Criminal Court. Agim and Afrim Ismailovic and Alil Demiri were sentenced to life imprisonment. Fejzi and Haki Aziri were sentenced to 15 and 9 years of imprisonment, respectively.[11]

Popular culture[edit]

The Macedonian film, When the Day Had No Name, is loosely based on the event.[46]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Kanal 5 - Code: The reconstruction of the killings (Macedonian)
  2. ^ "News - Latest breaking news available as free video on demand - Euronews". euronews.
  3. ^ a b Sinisa Jakov Marusic (3 May 2013). "Unsolved Killings Raise Fears of Macedonian Turmoil". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  4. ^ "FOCUS Information Agency". Focus-fen.net. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Alsat-M -". Archived from the original on 16 May 2012. Retrieved 16 May 2012.
  6. ^ a b "Macedonian court sentences 6 men to life imprisonment for lakeside killings - Shanghai Daily". Shanghaidaily.com. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  7. ^ "Miami Herald: Macedonian court jails 6 over Easter lake killings". Miamiherald.com.
  8. ^ "Skopje, six Albanians given life prison sentences". Balkaneu.com.
  9. ^ "Independent News for America - news and views from the US". Independent News for America. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  10. ^ "Wiretaps Could Change Course of Macedonia Murder Trial | Balkan Insight". 12 June 2018.
  11. ^ a b Marusic, Sinisa Jakov (23 February 2021). "North Macedonia Murder Retrial Convicts Ethnic Albanians of Terrorism". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  12. ^ ajc.com Archived 21 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ "Macedonia mourns 5 men, fears ethnic tensions". Fox News. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  14. ^ "Истрагата за убиствата напредува, дефиниран профилот на сторителите". Bukvar.mk. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  15. ^ M. Stančić. "VIDEO: Hapšenja islamista u Makedoniji zbog petostrukog ubistva | Region". Novosti.rs. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  16. ^ 24 Vesti - 20 suspects arrested for the massacre at Smilkovci Archived 25 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ M. Stančić. "VIDEO: Hapšenja islamista u Makedoniji zbog petostrukog ubistva | Region". Novosti.rs. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  18. ^ "РТС :: Македонија против џихада". Rts.rs. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  19. ^ "Дневник". Dnevnik.com.mk. Archived from the original on 1 May 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  20. ^ "News - Police release names of suspects in Macedonia murders". B92.net. Archived from the original on 8 May 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  21. ^ "KOHA - Ja profili i disa të arrestuarve". Koha.mk. Archived from the original on 3 May 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  22. ^ "Осомничените за убиството кај Смиљковци". Kirilica.com.mk. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  23. ^ From 20 arrested, 13 released Archived 5 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine Alsat-M
  24. ^ "24 ВЕСТИ". 24vesti.com.mk. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  25. ^ "Протест поради петкратното убиство". Bukvar.MK. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  26. ^ "Skopje, anti-Albanian protest - Top Channel". Top-channel.tv. 16 April 2012. Archived from the original on 14 December 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  27. ^ "ALSAT-M - Video-Përleshje mes policisë dhe protestuesve në Shkup". 1 May 2012. Archived from the original on 1 May 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  28. ^ "Breaking News, Boston Weather, politics and the Latest Business, Health, Arts and Sports". NECN. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  29. ^ "Përleshje mes policisë dhe protestuesve në Shkup". YouTube. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  30. ^ "Марш низ Битола во знак на сочувство - ТВ ТЕРА". YouTube. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  31. ^ "Radical Islam Poses Regional Threat , 11 May 2012". Archived from the original on 14 December 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  32. ^ "Radical oIslamist insurgents protest in Skopje-Macedonia - CNN iReport". Ireport.cnn.com. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  33. ^ "United Macedonian Diaspora - UMD: Islamist Rally in Skopje Designed to Intimidate". Archived from the original on 28 May 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  34. ^ "FOCUS Information Agency". Focus-fen.net. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  35. ^ "FOCUS Information Agency". Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  36. ^ "Alsat-M -". Archived from the original on 6 May 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  37. ^ "FOCUS Information Agency". Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  38. ^ "In Macedonia, Ethnic Albanians Protest Arrests Of Murder Suspects". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  39. ^ "PROTEST AGAINST "STAGED" PROCESSES AGAINST ALBANIANS – INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON TREATMENT OF ARRESTED REQUIRED - MIC - Macedonian Information Centre". Micnews.com.mk. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  40. ^ "!". Dnes.bg. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  41. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 May 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  42. ^ [1] [dead link]
  43. ^ "B92 - News - Ethnic Albanians stone Macedonian govt. headquarters". B92. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  44. ^ "Macedonian Govt Building Assaulted in Albanian Protest - Report". Novinite.com. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  45. ^ "MINA Breaking News - Radical Albanian Islamists stage protests in Skopje, Tetovo, Kumanovo". Macedoniaonline.eu. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  46. ^ "Teona Strugar Mitevska returns to Berlin with When the Day Had No Name". Cineuropa. 12 February 2017.
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