FETO-linked daily in Macedonia terminates print edition

By Adnan İdriz and Dzihat Aliju

SKOPJE, Macedonia (AA) - A newspaper in Macedonia linked to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) ended its print publication Friday.

The decision was prompted by Turkey’s active struggle against FETO, declining sales and financial difficulties.

Zaman Macedonia will move its operation online to social media, according to a statement on its website.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader, Fetullah Gulen, orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Ankara accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.

In 2018, the Macedonian government approved direct funding for 11 newspapers, including Zaman Macedonia, which received €14,700 ($16,795).

The decision was announced by State Minister Robert Popovski during a press conference.

On Wednesday, a group of people in Macedonia protested the country’s financial support for the newspaper.