North Macedonia’s police have dismantled a terrorist cell linked to the Islamic State (ISIS) and arrested four individuals who organized on the social media platform Telegram, authorities said on Thursday. The group allegedly formed a terrorist organization, disseminated ISIS propaganda, and recruited new members.
“The members intended to carry out terrorist attacks on civilian targets or so-called soft targets, including public facilities in North Macedonia, aiming to create a sense of insecurity and fear among citizens,” the Ministry of Interior said in a statement.
The cell operated under the ideological framework of ISIS. The alleged leader created multiple Telegram groups where he shared ISIS propaganda and recruited new members. Police said he attempted to acquire firearms and obtained instructions for making improvised explosive devices (IEDs) intended for terrorist attacks.
Searches were conducted at five locations in Skopje and Gostivar, where police seized an automatic rifle, a pistol, propaganda materials, mobile phones, computer equipment, and other items subject to forensic examination.
“Based on a criminal complaint, the prosecutor ordered an investigation into the suspects on suspicion of forming a ‘terrorist organization,’” the Public Prosecutor’s Office said. The court has ordered a 30-day detention for the suspects.
In a related case on Dec. 16, police arrested a 21-year-old man in Gostivar who had also formed a terrorist cell, recruiting individuals both domestically and abroad. That organization, also linked to ISIS, allegedly planned attacks on civilian and public targets.