Macedonia opposition chief accused of staging coup d’etat

FYR Macedonia's main opposition leader Zoran Zaev was charged by the police on 31 January 2015 with conspiring with a foreign intelligence service to topple the government led by Nikola Gruevski.

Mr Zaev denied the charges, saying authorities were trying in vain to prevent the publication of what he said was incendiary evidence of criminal wrongdoing by the conservative government. On 9 February 2015, the opposition accused Mr Gurevski and the country's secret police chief of eavesdropping on more than 20,000 people, and released recordings which it said support its allegation.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Following disputed elections, Macedonia requires clear guidance from the EU if it is to alleviate its growing political crisis http://www.europeansources.info/record/following-disputed-elections-macedonia-requires-clear-guidance-from-the-eu-if-it-is-to-alleviate-its-growing-political-crisis/

Deutsche Welle, 31.01.15: Macedonian opposition leader accused of plot to topple government http://dw.de/p/1ETv5

Sputnik International, 01.02.15: Moscow Expects Thorough Investigation of Reported Coup Attempt in Macedonia http://sputniknews.com/europe/20150201/1017615163.html

Turkish Weekly, 02.02.15: Macedonia Opposition Leader Charged With Spying http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/179586/macedonia-opposition-leader-charged-with-spying.html

Kurir, 31.01.15: Gruevski: I do not accept threats and blackmails; it is to the detriment of the state http://kurir.mk/en/?p=41707

Mina, 31.01.15: Gruevski: Zaev Helped by a Foreign Service Spied on Macedonian Government Officials http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/26892/45/

Balkan Insight, 09.02.15: Macedonia Govt Offers Concessions to Protesters http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/macedonian-govt-relents-ahead-of-opposition-bombshells

Balkan Insight, 09.02.15: Macedonia PM Accused of Large-Scale Wire-Tapping http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/eavesdropping-bombshell-explodes-in-macedonia

BBC News, 10.02.15: Macedonia PM Gruevski 'spied on rivals', says opposition leader Zaev http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31332530

EurActiv, 16.02.15: Macedonian opposition releases new wiretaps exposing the government http://www.euractiv.com/sections/enlargement/macedonian-opposition-releases-new-wiretaps-exposing-government-312134

EurActiv, 23.04.15: Wiretap scandal threatens democracy in Macedonia http://www.euractiv.com/sections/enlargement/wiretap-scandal-threatens-democracy-macedonia-314035

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