Former MP Azgan Haklaj stopped at the Blata crossing, placed on North Macedonia’s stop list

North Macedonian authorities are holding Azgan Haklaj, a former member of the Albanian Parliament, at the Blata border crossing in Dibër.

KOHA newspaper has obtained information indicating that Haklaj’s name has been included on the so-called “stop list,” a measure that authorities typically justify on public or national security grounds.

So far, there has been no official notice from the competent North Macedonian institutions regarding the specific reason for the detention or how long the procedure will last.

Haklaj was traveling with the well-known Albanian journalist Ferdinand Samarxhiu, who is also at the border crossing. They were headed to Skopje, where a Protest March against the Special Court’s decision concerning the KLA leaders is due to be held today.

Azgan Haklaj is a former Democratic Party MP in the Albanian Parliament and a well-known figure in Albania’s political, cultural and national life. He is from Tropoja and for years has been involved in promoting Albanian history, traditions and national identity.

Haklaj is also known as the head of the Artistic Union of the Albanian Nation and has been honored with the title “Grand Master.”

Throughout his public career, he has stood out for his support of the national cause, Kosovo’s liberation war, the KLA in Macedonia, and historical figures who contributed to the freedom and spiritual unity of Albanians.