By decision of the Government, Petar Bogojeski has been appointed as Director of the National Agency for European Educational Programmes and Mobility (Erasmus +) and is scheduled to take office on 15 May 2025. The Network for Protection against Discrimination requests the withdrawal of the decision to appoint Petar Bogojeski as Director of the National Agency for European Educational Programmes and Mobility, due to his statements containing disturbing speech, insults and hate speech, as well as actions that are contrary to European values.
The Erasmus+ programme strives to promote equal opportunities and accessibility, inclusion, diversity and fairness in all activities it supports. The programme also values national agencies as key in supporting projects that enable the greatest possible inclusiveness and representation of diversity. To achieve these goals, there is a Framework for Inclusion Measures and a Strategy for Inclusion and Acceptance of Diversity.[1]
We believe that the appointment of a person who, with his behavior on social media, daily tramples on these principles and despises people who respect them, is not only unfounded, but also an insult to the Program that has existed for more than 35 years and which constantly invests in the development of youth. At the same time, we are extremely concerned by the reaction of the Minister of Education, who, in response to the indications of several stakeholders in society, including the Minister of European Affairs, declared that his work would be monitored with greater focus.[2]
On the other hand, the public has had the opportunity to monitor the work of the appointed director for a long time – through his statements and comments on social networks. The Network for Protection against Discrimination integrally transmits the statements made and apologizes in advance for quoting words that are not appropriate for any communication, especially not by appointed officials.
Expressed views and manner of communication
Through his social networks (attached), the appointed director Petar Bogojeski has used disturbing speech, insults, hate speech and/or incitement to discrimination, intolerance and/or violence towards the following communities:
Macedonians – In comments to his followers who expressed an opinion contrary to his, he has stated “there is no simpler than a Macedonian!”, “half of Macedonians have never read a single book in their lives and they think Bucephalus was a king!” and “There is no more fugitive people than us”. In other correspondence, he addresses citizens with the words “sheep”, “donkey”, “janissary cattle”, “one cattle”, “fat”, “illiterate cattle”, etc.
Albanians – When addressing the Albanian minority, he often uses the word “shiptar” and has stated “a shiptar can only fuck a goat! He is not good for anything else”.
Women – In online discussions with his followers, he has referred to someone’s wives, mothers, aunts, etc. In correspondence with a follower about changing his back, he has stated “nothing on his back, you are missing something, respected lady. But that is God’s work, it is not your fault.” Due to the context, you can find the specific correspondence in the attached photos.
People living with HIV – In correspondence with followers about the appearance of people who are supporters of a different ideology, he has stated “off the hook with HIV68”, “they don’t know how to read…they are hot! HIV68 beat them”, “this disorder due to HIV68 is serious” and “it can’t be helped with HIV infection 68”.
Political basis: On other occasions, through his profile, the appointed director Petar Bogojeski has directed insults at dissenters (“, “is there anything more stupid than a leftist”, , “you guys are swindling the rabbit with Jovanka and you even went to Dubai! That’s what the scoundrels are doing”).
Use of offensive and disturbing speech: In correspondence with a follower, who also uses disturbing speech, the appointed director Petar Bogojeski states “check your surroundings, whose bastards are they! Don’t let the neighbor get involved?” When asked by a follower whether the question asked was a prize, Bogojeski replies with “yes! You will win a trip to Gaza.”
Previous proceedings
Bogojeski is accused of spreading hate speech, especially through social networks. In August 2024, the Vredi Coalition filed criminal charges against him for posts on Facebook that were considered to incite national, racial and religious hatred.[3]
Activists from several civic associations (Selma Rizvanović Mandal – Women’s Association EDU NISA Skopje, Adelaide Karišić – Bosniak Research Center Skopje, Izeta Babačić – Bosniak Women’s Association Divanhana Skopje, Mersiha Smailović – Citizens’ Association LEGIS Skopje, Muhamed Šukurica – Bosniak Forum in Macedonia and Jusuf Čolović – Citizens’ Association NAFAKA) filed a complaint with the Ministry of Interior for hate speech and threats against Petar Bogojeski, State Counselor at the Ministry of Defense.[4] Due to his expressed views, Bogojeski was also dismissed by the Ministry of Defense.[5]
Spreading disinformation
On December 3, 2023, Bogojeski held a press conference in front of the Ministry of Interior and the Prosecutor’s Office, announcing a dangerous, ethnic and colored disinformation about the kidnapping of Vanja Gjorchevska, which set social media ablaze. He claimed that the authorities were covering up a murder, stating that “the suspects were released from the police station” and asking “have they already been transferred to Kosovo?!?”
Precisely because of such speculation that the case has an ethnic background, the Public Prosecutor’s Office emphasized in its statement of December 3, 2023 that all five suspects in the murder are Macedonians.[6]
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Such views and manner of communication have no place in public discourse, especially not from a named official. There is also no room for minimizing the expressed views of Bogojeski by government representatives, stating that “his work will be monitored in particular, due to the reactions in the public, but nothing can be commented on for now.” The agency that Bogojeski is to lead has a mandate to “strengthen the role of lifelong learning in creating a sense of European citizenship based on understanding and respect for human rights and democracy and encouraging tolerance and respect for other peoples and cultures.” The purpose of the National Agency for European Educational Programs and Mobility is to work on the promotion and implementation of European programs in the field of education, training, youth and sport in the Republic of North Macedonia. By implementing these programs, the National Agency contributes to the development of the community as a society based on advanced knowledge, with sustainable economic development, more and better jobs and greater social cohesion, while ensuring environmental protection for future generations and especially exchange, cooperation and mobility in the field of education and training. Bogojeski’s views and statements are contrary to the values promoted by European programs such as Erasmus+, which makes him unsuitable for a leading position in an institution that aims to promote European values, inclusiveness and intercultural cooperation.
Considering the above, the Network for Protection against Discrimination requests the withdrawal of the appointment of Petar Bogojeski from the position of Director of the National Agency for European Educational Programs and Mobility.
