The Skopje-based Criminal Court has issued a 30-day detention order for the creator and administrator of the “Public Room” group chat, who are suspected of committing crime “production and distribution of child pornography”.

The two suspects were brought before a pre-trial judge on Friday.

“Upon deliberations by the public prosecutor and the suspects, in the attendance of their defense lawyer, and assessment of the facts and evidence enclosed with the motion for detention, the pre-trial judge accepted the motion and issued a 30-day detention order due to the existence of all grounds of Article 165 Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of the Criminal Procedure Code, i.e. flight risk, hindering the investigation by influencing witnesses, and repeat and completion of the crime,” the court said in a press release.

The clients have the right to lodge an appeal against the court’s decision.