Third Night of Protests Ends in Macedonian Capital

Amid heavy police presence in the Macedonian capital the two groups of protesters were not allowed to get close to each other.

The anti-government protest organized by civic organizations and the opposition front were sparked by President Gjorge Ivanov's surprise decision to pardon politicians facing criminal charges. Protests started in front of the parliament building where Macedonian, Albanian and Turkish flags could be seen waving together.

Protesters were joined by the opposition leader Zoran Zaev, who demanded resignation of President Gjorge Ivanov.  He accused the president of protecting corrupt politicians from prosecution.

They also reiterated their demand for the pardoning decision to be revoked so that the Special Prosecution, formed as part of the EU-brokered political crisis accord, could effectively investigate high-level crime.

Protesters chanted "No Justice, No Peace", "Freedom for Macedonia" and "It is over".

Trouble started when protestors moved several hundred meters away in front of the ruling VMRO DPMNE party HQ. A small group started throwing flares, stones and flares near the police after which riot police encircled and suppressed the entire rally.

After a brief panic, the scuffles subsided and the rally was divided into several groups by police cordons that occupied key street junctions, not allowing the protestors to regroup.

The aggravated protestors slowly moved away from the police and ended their rally in front of the Government building where they were calling for the police officers, guarding the government to join them.

The other rally, comprised of supporters of the main ruling VMRO DPMNE party was organized by the civic movement Citizens for Macedonian...