Islamabad to demand compensation for Macedonia's staged killings
Web posted at: 5/3/2004 1:40:57
Source ::: AFP
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan condemned yesterday Macedonia's acknowledged staged killing of six Pakistani immigrants two years ago to boost its image as a "war on terror" ally, and said it would demand compensation.
"This is the most heinous crime committed by the Macedonian authorities. We are demanding compensation and will also see that justice is done in this case," Information Minister Sheikh Rashid said.
Macedonian officials acknowledged on Friday their special forces had gunned down an Indian and six Pakistani immigrants in March 2002 to show the world the former Yugoslav republic was doing its part in the US-led "war on terror."
The seven had initially been accused of plotting attacks on Western embassies in Skopje.
Former interior minister Ljube Boskovski has been implicated in the affair and charges have been laid against four police officers involved in the killings, officials in Skopje said.
"This confession has vindicated our position and now we have right to demand compensation, though at this stage I can't say how much."
The minister warned that "such incidents will create more hatred among the Muslims and will make the war on terror more difficult." Foreign office spokesman Masood Khan said, "This was a hideous and condemnable crime."
"This crime is even more shocking and heinous because these murders were pre-meditated and were committed to spruce up Macedonia's image as an ally in the war against terrorism. It indeed was a diabolical plot."
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