Kidnapped workers case enters legal proceedings

Skopje, May 20 (MIA) - The case, involving molested workers employed in "Mavrovo" construction company, will be handed over on Tuesday from the Public Prosecutor's Office to the Primary Court Skopje-1, being the first case stemming from the 2001 conflict which enters into legal proceedings in Macedonia.

Macedonia's Public Prosecutor Ljupco Svrgovski stated yesterday that the translated case on molested workers was received, adding the accusation was active and referred to 17 inductees.

Charges regarding the "Mavrovo" case - one of the four cases which were returned by the Hague Tribunal to Macedonia - were brought even in 2002.

17 persons are accused on abducting and molesting five workers of "Mavrovo" construction company in 2001 on Skopje-Tetovo highway.

Prior to handing the case over to the Hague, Krenar Osmani, Skodran Idrizi and Fadilj Ferati were taken into custody in 2002 as suspects involved in the crime. However, they were released as soon as the Hague Tribunal had taken over responsibility for the case. Following an investigation, the Hague returned the case to Macedonia, together with three other cases on LNA leadership, Neprosteno mass grave and the Lipkovo dam.

These cases are still in the process of being translated.