Zaev claims “Greek businessmen” fund violent protests in FYROM against Macedonia deal

Zoran Zaev said his government has received multiple reports that “Greek businessmen” who are “sympathetic to the Russian cause” paid Macedonians amounts ranging from $13,000 to $21,000 to “commit acts of violence” ahead of a crucial referendum later this year that will determine whether the Balkan state will be able to join the military alliance.

Zaev made the allegations during an interview in the Macedonian capital Skopje, having just returned from the NATO summit in Brussels last week, where Macedonia was officially invited to move toward NATO membership.

During the summit, Zaev said he privately asked for help with the referendum from US President Donald Trump, who is due to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday amid growing allegations that Russian agents tried to help his 2016 presidential campaign.

Zaev declined to name who was behind the payments, citing an ongoing investigation and the sensitivities of diplomatic relations surrounding the country’s bid for NATO membership. He said police learned of the payments after detaining several participants in violent protests outside parliament in June.

Zaev allegations come just days after Greece expelled two Russian diplomats for “illegal actions against national security.” The two diplomats who left the country last Friday are reportedly accused of having funded protests in Northern Greece against the Macedonia deal.

From Zaev’s interview on BuzzFeedNews and the accompanying article, KTG understands that he has not informed so far his Greek counterpart or the Greek Foreign Ministry over his allegations.