In a joint coordinated action by Macedonian and Serbian security services, in Skopje a Serbian citizen with the initials S. M. (42) was arrested - suspected of planning the commission of a serious crime - most likely a liquidation on the orders of an organised crime group. Along with him, two more men were detained - one Serbian and one Macedonian citizen.

According to information from the Serbian Interior Ministry, S.M. is a member of an organised crime group in Serbia and crossed the border illegally to enter Macedonia. Behind that lies a concrete assignment - to carry out a murder on the orders of the crime group's leadership. The open question is - who was the target?

During the search of the location where he had been staying, police found material that leaves little room for interpretation: a „CZ" brand pistol with matching ammunition, a black tactical uniform, a military knife, a small quantity of marijuana and someone else's ID card issued in the Republic of Serbia. Equipment for a concrete operational task - not for a casual trip.

The coordinated action was led by the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office for Organised Crime and Corruption (OJT GOKK). Searches were carried out at several locations in Skopje, where drugs, money and mobile phones were found - preparatory resources for operating in a metropolis where crime is layered.

What does this mean for Skopje? That the city is no longer outside the interests of regional crime groups. When a Serbian group sends a hitman into Macedonia - it means their target lives or works in Macedonia, or someone here has an open score with them. Either way, Skopje is the arena.

The investigation needs to show who the two arrested accomplices are, whether they are linked to existing Macedonian groups, and who the man was meant to take out. For now - silence from the investigators. Which is also understandable: the operational situation is still developing.