FETO-linked daily in Macedonia terminates print edition

By Adnan İdriz and Dzihat Aliju</p> <p>SKOPJE, Macedonia (AA) – A newspaper in Macedonia linked to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) ended its print publication Friday. </p> <p>The decision was prompted by Turkey’s active struggle against FETO, declining sales and financial difficulties.</p> <p>Zaman Macedonia will move its operation online to social media, according to a statement on its website.</p> <p>FETO and its U.S.-based leader, Fetullah Gulen, orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.</p> <p>Ankara accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.</p> <p>In 2018, the Macedonian government approved direct funding for 11 newspapers, including Zaman Macedonia, which received €14,700 ($16,795).</p> <p>The decision was announced by State Minister Robert Popovski during a press conference. </p> <p>On Wednesday, a group of people in Macedonia protested the country’s financial support for the newspaper.