Interior Ministry Identifies Profiles and Questions People Behind Claims About Skopje’s Water

The Ministry of Interior is continuing to question individuals whose profiles were used yesterday to publish calls urging residents not to drink the water in Skopje, amid claims that it contained bacteria.

The Ministry of Interior’s Cybercrime Department is identifying the profiles concerned and taking the necessary action in the case.

“The Cybercrime Department at the Ministry of Interior is taking the appropriate measures and actions. The individuals’ profiles are being identified, and they are being called in for questioning. Once the investigative actions have been completed, we will duly inform the public,” the Ministry of Interior told AIM this morning.

False information alleging that the dangerous bacterium Escherichia coli was present in Skopje’s water supply spread on social media throughout the day, quickly causing fear and panic among residents.

The claims were dismissed yesterday afternoon by Skopje Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski, the Public Enterprise “Water Supply and Sewerage,” and the Ministry of Health.

At a press conference, Gjorgjievski said Skopje’s water was safe to drink and that no Escherichia coli or other bacteria had been detected in it.