Zoran Zaev

The increasingly authoritarian government of Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski in the neighboring former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (fYRoM) fell back on an “antiquated line of defense” last week in a bid to neutralize a political rival, namely, to indirectly involve Greek secret services.

Top politicians, opposition leaders, NGO activists, journalists, businessmen, top academics, religious leaders and members of the judiciary have been subjected to widespread surveillance ordered by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and secret police chief Saso Mijalkov, the opposition Social Democratic Party, SDSM, claimed on Monday.

Macedonia's Independent Journalists' Trade Union, SSNM, has slated a ban on the publication of compromising material in relation to the case involving the head of the opposition Social Democratic Party, SDSM.

The leader of Macedonia's opposition Social Democrats, Zoran Zaev, has been charged by police with attempting to topple the conservative government of Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski with the help of a foreign intelligence service.

The opposition Social Democrats, SDSM, have condemned the publication of a video, which purports to show the opposition leader admitting that he obtained incriminating material from foreign intelligence agencies.

The fact that the "Prime Minister is recording political meetings in his cabinet is scandalous", the SDSM said on Tuesday.

Video of accused opposition leader's meeting with PM

SKOPJE -- Video footage has been aired showing opposition leader Zoran Zaev admit to PM Nikola Gruevski that he had received materials from foreign intelligence services.

In the video broadcast by Macedonia's TV Sitel, Zaev is heard saying he met several times with "foreigners" and that he was "sure of what he got."

Opposition leader charged with conspiring to organize coup

SKOPJE -- The U.S. embassy in Skopje has said that it was following the criminal proceedings against Zoran Zaev "with concern."

Zaev, leader of the Social Democrats, was charged by police on Saturday with conspiring with a foreign intelligence service to topple the government.

The EU and US have urged Macedonia to follow due legal process following dramatic developments at the weekend when opposition leader Zoran Zaev was accused of attempting a coup.

Police have charged the Social Democrat leader with espionage and with making violent threats aimed at the government with the goal of undermining constitutional order.

The leader of Macedonia's main opposition Social Democratic Party, SDSM, has been ordered to remain in the country and his passport has been confiscated.

In a dramatic address carried on all main TV stations, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski on Saturday accused Zoran Zaev of attempting a coup.