The dispute in the M-NAV air traffic control center at the Skopje airport led to a shocking incident today, when activists of the ruling DUI party attacked an air traffic controller.

The incident follows days of tensions in M-NAV, where DUI appointed managers are trying to manipulate the hiring process and bring unqualified party activists to the well paid air traffic controller positions. The M-NAV union alarmed the public, insisting that the safety of passenger flights could be endangered if DUI’s plans proceed. Union President Aleksandar Tasevski accused DUI appointed director Fahrudin Memedi and Hasim Deari of massive abuse of the hiring process and in other decisions, including public contracts. In response, Memedi and Deari had the police summon Tasevski for interrogation in a police station, because he allegedly threatened them.

Tasevski held a press conference today, flanked by a large number of air traffic controllers, and announced protests that would stop flights to and from the country if the management doesn’t back down. Hours later, a group of men entered the M-NAV building and attacked one of the controllers. The victim is reportedly an ethnic Albanian who was not toeing the party line in the running of the institution.

The vehicles were allowed to enter the circle of M-NAV and we have notified the Interior and the Transportation Minister. The vehicles with the attackers were not stopped by the security agency that is hired to secure the perimeter (whose contract is expired). They were also not stopped by the M-NAV security in the building itself. This act of violence is not only a threat to every professional in the service, but also to the safety of air traffic, Tasevski said after the incident.

The opposition VMRO-DPMNE party blamed DUI for instigating the incident, given the open attempts of the party to place yet another public institution under its political control.