Another Macedonian citizen reportedly dies in Middle East

Another Macedonian citizen reportedly dies in Middle East

SKOPJE -- A 23-year-old Macedonian citizen identified as Dzelal S. has died in the war in Syria, according to reports.

His photograph has been posted on social networks along with a caption reading that he died "a shaheed."

The Beta news agency is quoting "data from social networks" to report that Dzelal S. was "the tenth citizen of Macedonia to die in the war in Syria."

The agency also noted that the Macedonian parliament recently amended the Criminal Code because of an increasing number of cases of "departure of Macedonian citizens to foreign battlefields, above all in the Middle East."

Those joining "paramilitary formations" abroad could be sentenced to five years in prison in Macedonia, according to the new legislation.