Macedonia: 10 intelligence staff suspects in wiretap scandal

SKOPJE, Macedonia – Court authorities in Macedonia have officially named 10 intelligence service employees as suspects in the illegal wiretapping of more than 5,800 phone numbers between 2008 and 2015, a scandal that plunged the country into a deep political crisis.

The special prosecutor's office said Friday the 10, including the former head of the country's intelligence service, were officially suspected of abuse of power and authority. Any charges would be brought after the conclusion of an investigation into the case.

The wiretapping scandal was revealed by a leftist opposition leader last year. The ensuing political crisis, the deepest since Macedonia declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, has resulted in early elections planned for Dec. 11.