Macedonia Journalists Wiretapped En Masse, Opposition Leader Says

World » SOUTHEAST EUROPE | February 26, 2015, Thursday // 10:31
Bulgaria: Macedonia Journalists Wiretapped En Masse, Opposition Leader Says Opposition leader Zoran Zaev shows a list of journalists` nameshe claims were subjected to wiretapping during a press conference in Skopje, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, February 25, 2015. Photo by EPA/BGNES

More than 100 journalists in Macedonia have been lately subject to illegal wiretapping, Zoran Zaev, the leader of the opposition Social Democrats has argued.

Macedonia's government has been at the center of a scandal after Zaev hurled accusations of pressure on the judiciary and eavesdropping on thousands of citizens who, apart from reporters, include religious leaders and politicians.

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski maintains Zaev is seeking to stage a coup d'etat inspired by a foreign intelligence service.

On Wednesday Zaev unveiled new evidence purportedly showing the extent to which Macedonian media are being pressured by governing politicians.

In his words, the PM's voice can be heard in one of the recordings as Gruevski is allegedly holding a conversation with Transport Minister Mile Janakievski involving a suggestion of money transfers that Zaev describes as "abuse of office".

"Both pro-government and professional critical journalists in Macedonia" are being snooped on, the opposition leader believes.

There are also "recordings" involving other government ministers and media representatives. However, the leader outlined short summaries instead of playing them citing the "seriousness" of the revelations: "Which does not mean we will not do this in the future."

According to daily Utrinski Vesnik, Zaev has provided an example that the cabinet is exerting "total control" on the media landscape.

This is the fourth piece of "evidence" Zaev made public. PM Gruevski later on Wednesday called his opponent "just an instrument, a kamikadze": "This is a big game, too big for him. And I am not someone who acts under threats and blackmailing."

Zaev also took a similar step in mid-February providing recordings that allegedly proved interference in Macedonia's judiciary.

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Tags: zoran zaev, Nikola Gruevski, macedonia, recordings, wiretapping

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