The 41st anniversary of the establishment of the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit was marked today in the Ilinden barracks with a tactical demonstration exercise, awarding of recognitions and thanks and a series of festivities.Tigar".

The Minister of Interior, Oliver Spasovski, said that it is an honor to mark the anniversary of the formation of the most renowned police formation within the Ministry of Interior.

- On the threshold of the fifth decade SAE "Tiger" from the aspect of professionalism and expertise of its members is a real pride not only of the Ministry of Interior, but of Northern Macedonia in general, and I am deeply convinced of that, said Spasovski.

The "Tiger" unit, stressed Spasovski is an indispensable segment of the operational actions of the Ministry of Interior, and they are always ready for the most difficult missions and without them can not pass any major police action to combat drug smuggling and smuggling of migrants. Together with the other units, they were part of a number of activities, in which seven tons of heroin worth about 300 million euros, 1,2 tons of psychotropic substances worth 200 million euros and over two tons of marijuana worth 4,5 million euros were seized. million.

The Prime Minister, Dimitar Kovacevski, said that the "Tiger" unit is synonymous with training to the highest standards required by the fight against terrorism and violent crime, and is a group of highly committed and highly trained individuals ready to face any challenge that may be a threat. for the security of the country.

- You and your unit send a strong message that the Republic of Northern Macedonia has a well-prepared and functional national security system for the fight against all forms of crime, and especially for the fight against terrorism. Distinguished members of "Tiger", I congratulate you on the day of its establishment and on behalf of the citizens I wish you further success in performing your tasks, said Kovacevski.

Delegations from the Government, the Ministry of Interior, the Public Security Bureau and the families of the killed representatives laid flowers in front of the memorial plaque of the killed members of the unit.

The commander of the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit "Tiger" Mitko Danevski, pointed out that the unit is a professional and highly equipped unit, which only last year had training and exercises with US green berets, as well as special units Cobra from Austria, Urna from the Czech Republic. Carabinieri from Italy and Raid from France.

- More than 100 actions were carried out for suppression of criminal groups and arrest of armed persons, of which 57 actions were aimed at preventing illicit drug trafficking and more than three tons of narcotics and a large quantity of weapons were seized. 69 intrusions were made in buildings and 13 intrusions of motor vehicles with forced stopping, during which 89 people were deprived of liberty, said Danevski.

Danevski pointed out that five tactical demonstration exercises were performed, several rescue operations on people and property and participation in extinguishing forest fires.

As part of the celebration, letters of thanks were awarded for the cooperation of the Ministry of Interior, the Public Security Bureau, the Police Union and supporters of the unit. Jubilee plaques for 5, 15 and 20 years of service in the unit were awarded to several members of the SAE Tiger.

Minister Spasovski awarded the jubilee plaque for 30 years of continuous service and on the occasion of retirement of the assistant commander Gjoko Dincevski, while Prime Minister Kovacevski awarded the plaque to the best member of the "Tiger" unit for 2021.

The unit was rebranded last year from a Special Task Force to a Special Counter-Terrorism Unit.