Transparency International Macedonia continues to carry out its regular monthly activities for monitoring cases and activities related to corrupt behavior and the fight against corruption, which we’ve named “Light & Dark”
The monitoring of these cases has received significant attention, both in the public sphere and among domestic and foreign relevant stakeholders, and over time, it has evolved into a relevant indicator for measuring corruption and assessing the government’s willingness to address this issue.
“DARK” OCCURRENCES FOR MARCH 2025
Something is rotten in North Macedonia
The investigation locates “chain failures and illegalities” that led to the fire in Kočani – State Prosecutor Ljupčo Kocevski revealed to the public all the unlawful actions discovered so far related to the fire in Kočani. He stated that the failures date back more than 10 years. A member of the DNK group, who had a concert, is suspected of bringing in pyrotechnics to discotheque “Pulse.” The Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office – Kočani has ordered an investigation against 27 individuals and three legal entities, suspected of having committed serious crimes against public safety with the fire at “Pulse.” All the suspects in the investigation have been secured. The Kočani prosecutor’s office is requesting detention for all suspects except for three who are hospitalized. The Prosecutor’s Office announced that all the suspects, from 2012 to March 16, 2025, jointly, but each within the scope of their position and responsibilities, failed to act in accordance with regulations for protective measures, thus creating a danger to everyone.
“Fuel Oil theft!” – The Prosecutor’s Office continues the investigation against 13 suspects – The Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime and Corruption continues the investigation involving businessmen and fuel traders, who, in cooperation and with assistance from directors and employees at power plants in North Macedonia, manipulated the tendering process for the procurement of fuel oil at the Negotino TPP. This occurred between 2021 and 2023, while the state budget was damaged by 167.5 million euros.
Kriva Reka “swims” in the deadliest poison – cyanide, instead of state action, there are party squabbles – Instead of urgent state action, there are party disputes and accusations regarding the ecological disaster in Kriva Reka in the city of Kriva Palanka, where increased levels of cyanide and lead have been detected after wastewater from the Toranica mine flowed into the river, turning it grey. Only toxicologists are reacting. They say cyanide is one of the deadliest poisons. It affects cellular respiration, meaning it prevents oxygen exchange from entering the cells, thereby killing the cells. Since it is in the water, it will affect all living organisms in the river, which is an ecological catastrophe. The risk of soil and food contamination is high.
A manager demanded a 13,000-euro bribe for approval of an apartment construction project – The Corruption Unit of the Department for Combating Organized and Serious Crime informed the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office for the Prosecution of Organized Crime and Corruption that the accused, the head of the Department for Urban Planning, Communal Services, Local Economic Development, and Environmental Protection in the Municipality of Mavrovo and Rostuša, demanded a bribe of 13,000 euros and promised that an urban planning project for building apartments and accommodation facilities would be approved. The bribe was to be paid in several installments.
“Gorica” in Ohrid continues to be cemented despite UNESCO’s warnings: The institutions are silent, and builders keep digging – Despite clear recommendations from UNESCO to immediately halt urbanization in sensitive areas around Lake Ohrid, such as the Gorica hill and the Studenčičko Swamp, construction activities persist. The latest warning comes from the SOS Ohrid organization, which alerts that despite reactions from international bodies, the state is taking no action. In a statement to the media, activists remind that the Reactive Monitoring Mission of UNESCO, which visited Ohrid in March 2024, registered new construction on Gorica Hill. This involves the construction of a hotel complex, without prior notification to the World Heritage Centre, which constitutes a direct violation of Paragraph 172 of the operational guidelines of the World Heritage Convention.
SCPC: Institutions with low integrity – In the interest of objectivity and assessing achievements, the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption (SCPC) presented the ranking list of the most successful and highest-ranked institutions based on the implementation of the integrity system. At the top, the State Audit Office ranked highest with 82%, followed by the Court in Kavadarci with 65%, while the Civil Court in Skopje received a low score of 20%. In the anti-corruption investigation, the main flaws identified include the lack of internal acts on conflict of interest – missing in half of the state institutions, and the same percentage does not have regulations for receiving gifts and hospitality. There is also an absence of integrity training and low certification in ISO standards.
“LIGHT” OCCURRENCES FOR MARCH 2025
Civil organizations demand a transparent investigation into the Kočani fire – Civil organizations fighting corruption are calling for a transparent investigation into the fire in Kočani and a reform of the criminal policy. They are urging accountability from institutions and companies, on-site inspections during extraordinary oversight, as well as monitoring the asset status of inspectors. According to the Civil Society Platform for Combating Corruption, a review of the procedures for obtaining permits and licenses, vertical accountability, and urgent implementation of the guidelines from the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption and the State Audit Office is also necessary. “Corruption in North Macedonia is a threat to the life and safety of citizens, not just the misuse of public funds. Tragedies such as the fire in Kočani, Laskarc, ‘Besa Trans,’ and the modular hospital in Tetovo are direct consequences of systemic failures, political protection, incompetent hiring, and institutional neglect. Despite continuous promises of reforms, no substantial changes have been made in control, inspection mechanisms, and legal accountability,” stated the platform during a press conference in Skopje.
Employees of “National Forests” and the owner of a company receive criminal charges, suspected of abuses – The Police Department of Ohrid filed a criminal report against M.V. (43), a manager of a legal entity from the village of Gorno Dobrenec, Kičevo, due to grounds for suspicion of committing the criminal offense of “forgery of an official document,” against S.S. (41), an associate for records of receivables and obligations at the Public Enterprise “National Forests,” V.R. (58), a financial officer at “National Forests,” and Z.K. (65), a former director at the Public Enterprise “National Forests” – Regional Forestry Unit Lopushnik in Kičevo, due to grounds for suspicion of committing the criminal offense of “negligent performance of official duties.” In 2022, 2023, and 2024, after a previously signed Agreement for the transportation of wood assortments between the Public Enterprise “National Forests” and the legal entity, the first accused submitted an invoice to the Public Enterprise “National Forests” – Regional Forestry Unit Lopushnik in Kičevo, in which she entered three shipping documents for transportation with false content for a service not carried out by them, regarding the transport of oak firewood. Meanwhile, the other accused, by failing to conduct proper oversight, failed to identify the irregularities, accepted the invoice with false content, processed it, and paid it, thus causing damage to the Public Enterprise “National Forests,” according to the police statement.
Criminal charges for the director of a primary school in Delčevo, accused of abusing position and authority – The External Office for Criminal Matters in Delčevo filed a criminal report against G.V. (48) from Delčevo due to grounds for suspicion of committing the criminal offense “abuse of official position and authority” under Article 353, Paragraphs 3 and 1, in relation to Article 45 of the Criminal Code. The accused G.V., as the director of a municipal primary school in Delčevo, used his official position and authority to act contrary to Article 77 and Article 49 of the Public Procurement Law during the period from September 1, 2021, to October 19, 2021.
Criminal report against a police officer for accepting a bribe – The Department for Internal Control, Criminal Investigations, and Professional Standards at the Ministry of Internal Affairs filed a criminal report to the competent Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office for the Prosecution of Organized Crime and Corruption – Specialized Division for the Prosecution of Criminal Acts Committed by Persons with Police Powers and Prison Police Officers against the police officer S.F. due to grounds for suspicion of committing the criminal offense of “accepting a bribe.” As informed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, on December 15, 2024, at the Dolno Blace Border Crossing, the accused S.F., a police officer at the Dolno Blace Border Police Station, requested and received money to carry out an official act that he was not authorized to perform.
