‘May 25’ scandal: ‘Maximum’ sentence to send clear message, says PM Zaev

I support maximum sentences for those who have committed such crimes like the ones involving an underage girl sheltered at the May 25 institution for troubled youth in Skopje to send a message that it must not happen ever again, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev stated Thursday.

A 13-year old girl had had her baby aborted after being impregnated following years of sexual exploitation outside the institution. The scandal has shed light on numerous shortcomings in the system.

“I am one of the supporters of maximum penalty, because only maximum sentences can send a message that we won’t allow such things to happen again, ever,” Zaev said answering at a Q&A session in Parliament.

This ‘monstrous thing’ the girl from the institution had to go through must not happen to any other child, anywhere, both those sheltered in institutions and those living with their families.

“The director of the institution has stepped down due to moral reasons, but it cannot turn back time. I appeal maximum efforts to be made for these children to be taken care of completely,” the PM stressed.

Following up to Zaev’s response, Labor Minister Mila Carovska said the necessity for transforming large institutions sheltering orphanages and troubled youngsters was clear.

According to her, these centers in the past ten years had hit rock bottom after having their staff being reduced by 30%-40%.

“I expect other competent institutions, including the Interior Ministry and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, to do their jobs, while the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy is in an intensive process of preparing plans to transform these large institutions and to accommodate these children and teenagers in smaller foster homes,” Minister Carovska stated.