Macedonia’s support to FETO-linked daily protested

By Furkan Abdula

SKOPJE, Macedonia (AA) - A group of people in Macedonia on Wednesday protested the country’s financial support of a newspaper linked to Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).

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.

The Macedonian government approved payments for 11 newspapers in 2018, including Zaman Macedonia that is linked to FETO.

The decision was announced by the State Minister Robert Popovski during a press meeting on Monday. The FETO-linked daily has received €14,700 ($16,795).

Holding placards, which read “Do not support terrorism” and “FETO hands off Macedonia!”, the protesters met in front of the Turkish Embassy in Skopje to express solidarity with Turkey.

Speaking at the protest, Turkish Ambassador in Skopje Tulin Erkal Kara called on Macedonian government to revoke its decision.

She said that cancelation of the decision would be the “proof of Macedonia’s support to our country’s fight against terrorism”.