ARMED GROUP OCCUPIES TETOVO JUVENILE DETENTION CENTRE
Macedonian Radio (Transcript) - September 23, 2003

(Reporter Jovan Bulevski) Some six armed individuals committed an act of banditry on the Kamenjane-Jelovljane road, in the Tumba area, at around 2000 (1800 gmt) last night. While driving his vehicle (a jeep) from Kamenjane to his native village of Jelovljane, A.A. was stopped and molested at gunpoint. The five passengers, including a 10-year-old child and the driver were threatened and forced to get out of the vehicle. Having robbed them, the gunmen fled.

A 30-strong group - which according to the police, is headed by Qani Ismaili - is on the premises of the republican detention centre for juveniles in Tetovo. According to our source, the group includes armed individuals from Kosovo and the Republic of Albania. Apparently, the latter constantly violate the law and exercise violence in the Tetovo area.

In view of the fact that the detention centre facilities are now controlled by the armed group, rather than the state, the employees of the detention centre have been prevented from entering. The juvenile inmates have been relocated to three other detention centre facilities throughout Macedonia.

Source: Macedonian Radio, Skopje, in Macedonian 1330 gmt 23 Sep 03

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