Distinguished citizens of the Republic of Macedonia,

On April 12, I made a decision for pardoning – freeing a certain number of persons from criminal charges without implementation of the regular procedure, in accordance with the Constitution and the Law on pardon. It was a decision that I believed then, as I continue to believe, was made above all in the interest of the country and the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia.

Unfortunately, many did not understand this idea, or perhaps did not wish to understand it. The debates in both domestic and international public went into a completely different direction. I was accused of wanting to protect politicians, that I exercised selective justice, or placed politicians above the law.

To the best of my conscience, I hereby state that it was never my intention.

Unlike April 12, today we have a new reality in Macedonia. In conditions of external threats and security risks, we have functional institutions capable of dealing with the challenges arising from the migration crisis, especially having in mind the announcements for a new wave of refugees and migrants.

Dear fellow citizens,

I have made the decision to annul part of the decisions, without the explicit request of the pardoned persons.

Today, in line with the Law supplementing the Law on Pardon, I have made the decision to annul the pardon for all 22 politically active persons.

All other persons, in accordance with the legal amendments, will have the right to submit personal requests for annulment of the decisions for pardon related to them.

No one should have any more doubts. None of the politicians are above the law. None of the politicians is untouchable. On the contrary, everyone will be held responsible for their actions.

I wish to underline that I sincerely believed and I still believe that the decision for pardon was the best possible option to come out of the political crisis. I am convinced that without regaining mutual trust and reconciliation in any form, this crisis will last for a long time, which is not in the interest of the citizens or the state.

I wish to state that I remain ready to help in overcoming the crisis in future, as I have been so far.

Thank you.