U.S. urges Macedonia to reconsider decision to halt wiretap inquiry

Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov prepares to cast his ballots at a polling station in Skopje April 27, 2014. REUTERS/Ognen Teofilovski

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Wednesday slammed Macedonia's decision to pardon suspects involved in a government wiretap operation and called on President Gjorge Ivanov to reconsider his decision.

In a statement, the State Department expressed concern with the president's decision saying it would "protect corrupt officials and deny justice to the people of Macedonia."