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 & Bleak”
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 institutions willingness to address this issue.
“BLEAK” OCCURRENCES FOR OCTOBER 2026
Abuse of eye surgery procedures, 3,000–4,000 patients affected and millions in damages to the Health Insurance Fund – 11 Suspects – Eleven people are suspected, eight of whom have been detained, in connection with illegal practices involving eye surgeries at a private hospital that had a contract with the Health Insurance Fund (HIF). Between 3,000 and 4,000 patients have been affected, having been charged twice for the same services. The private hospital, which is Turkish-owned, allegedly received payments both from the Health Insurance Fund and directly from patients for the medical services provided. Two former directors of the Fund are facing prosecution for allegedly entering into an agreement in 2020, together with a representative of the private healthcare institution, in violation of the prescribed procedures and the Fund’s internal regulations. “Based on this agreement, by entering false information into the HIF’s electronic system and issuing invoices containing false information, the healthcare institution allegedly charged both the Fund and the patients for the same services. In addition to the legally required co-payment, patients were also charged the private rate for the surgeries, while being kept unaware that the same services were also being billed to the Health Insurance Fund.”
Senior public prosecutor suspected of accepting a reward for unlawful influence – allegedly influenced prosecutors and judges in at least four cases – According to the case description, over the past period, he allegedly abused his official position to exert unlawful influence over the decisions of fellow public prosecutors and judges in at least four separate cases. In addition, he allegedly intervened to secure reduced sentences or obtain more favourable treatment for individuals suspected or accused in criminal proceedings. The Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office for Prosecuting Organised Crime and Corruption has initiated proceedings against a former public prosecutor at the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Bitola on suspicion of committing the criminal offence of accepting a reward for unlawful influence.
One million euros diverted to two employees instead of being deposited into the State Lottery’s Account – designer handbags and luxury watches seized – The Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Skopje has issued an order to open an investigation against two employees of the State Lottery on suspicion of committing the criminal offence of embezzlement in the performance of official duties.Throughout 2024, the first suspect, who held the position of Director of the Finance and Accounting Department, and the second suspect, who served as Head of Financial Operations at the State Lottery, a joint-stock company organising games of chance, allegedly carried out multiple actions with the intention of obtaining unlawful financial gain for themselves. They allegedly misappropriated funds entrusted to them in the course of their duties, amounting to a substantial sum of MKD 79,989,444. As authorised employees responsible for withdrawing cash intended to pay out small lottery winnings and depositing the daily revenue generated by the company’s own retail outlets, they allegedly failed to deposit the full daily revenue generated throughout 2024 into the company’s transaction accounts held with commercial banks. Instead, they allegedly appropriated the money for themselves.
Corruption measured in hundreds of millions, asset Confiscation in Mere Pennies – Hundreds of millions of euros in suspected illicit financial gains are involved in corruption and organised crime cases, yet the state has no clear picture of how much money is actually being recovered and returned to the public budget. There is a significant gap between the amounts sought and the amounts ultimately recovered. This is highlighted in an OSCE analysis of organised crime and corruption cases covering the period from 2024 to 2026. According to the report, the monitored cases identified grounds for asset recovery totalling €293 million. However, final court rulings ordering the confiscation of identified and frozen assets covered just €2.3 million. Additionally, in cases where final rulings ordered compensation for damages from unidentified assets, the stated amount totalled €700,000.
Audit of the “Moj Termin” system: patients wait for years for surgery – one doctor has 198 scheduled operations – Patients are waiting for months and even years to undergo surgery, despite the fact that the “Moj Termin” system maintains a waiting list for elective surgeries (planned surgical procedures that are not emergencies). This is among the findings highlighted by the State Audit Office in its audit report examining whether the “Moj Termin” system has contributed to improving the quality of healthcare services. Auditors uncover serious irregularities in Kichevo Municipality – The State Audit Office has identified serious irregularities in the financial operations of the Municipality of Kichevo for 2024, issuing an adverse opinion on its financial statements and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Auditors identified inadequate collection of the municipality’s own-source revenues, outdated receivables, shortcomings in public procurement procedures, and the implementation of capital projects without proper documentation or professional supervision. Particular attention was drawn to the public-private partnership for the modernisation of public street lighting, with a contractual value exceeding €6.1 million, including VAT, and a payment obligation extending over a period of 15 years. State Audit Office: serious deficiencies in data protection and it security at the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund – The Pension and Disability Insurance Fund is operating with outdated technology, according to an audit report examining its IT department and information security. The report highlights a severe shortage of IT specialists, almost non-existent data protection measures, outdated servers, computers running operating systems with expired licences and no antivirus software, and server rooms that can be accessed by virtually anyone at any time. Auditors also identified a lack of security updates and patches, creating a significant risk of data loss. These are just some of the findings concerning the operations of one of North Macedonia’s key public institutions. Auditors identify numerous irregularities in the operations of the Ministry of Public Administration – An audit of the financial statements and compliance of the Ministry of Digital Transformation for 2024 identified irregularities in asset records and management, liabilities that were not reported in the period in which they arose, and shortcomings in public procurement procedures. According to the audit report, the inventory of assets was not conducted in accordance with legal requirements, while the records of fixed assets did not correspond to the actual situation. Furthermore, no division of assets and liabilities was carried out with the Ministry of Public Administration.
Corruption in healthcare goes unreported due to a lack of trust in the system, experts warn – Lack of information, insecurity and vulnerability among patients, as well as the deeply rooted culture of using personal connections and paying bribes, is fueling corruption in the public healthcare system. Therefore, comprehensive measures are needed, involving patients, healthcare workers and the relevant institutions, to reduce corrupt practices. These are the main conclusions from the public discussions entitled “Corruption in Healthcare – Let’s Talk Openly”, organized by the ESE Association. ESE research has shown that corruption is most commonly requested or offered in exchange for a faster appointment with a specialist or access to a specific medical service, an appointment with a particular doctor, or securing a hospital bed or surgery without having to wait for months, but such cases are rarely reported.
“LIGHT” OCCURRENCES FOR OCTOBER 2026
Charges filed for bribery and abuse of office in tax inspections of “Pulse” and related companies – The Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Kochani has filed an indictment against three individuals and an indictment proposal against six individuals for acts involving bribery, abuse of official position, disclosure of official secrets and forgery, in connection with tax inspections conducted by the Public Revenue Office at the “Pulse” nightclub in Kochani and other related companies. An indictment for the criminal offence of receiving a Bribe under Article 357 of the Criminal Code has been filed against two tax inspectors, one of whom is charged with two such offences. They allegedly requested and received a pair of glasses and a wristwatch from a third individual, charged with Giving a Bribe under Article 358 of the Criminal Code, in exchange for informing him about unannounced extraordinary inspections at the companies where he was the responsible person.
Investigation launched into bribery of a public official, detention proposed – The Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office for Prosecuting Organized Crime and Corruption has issued an order to open an investigation against one individual for the criminal offence of Giving a Bribe under Article 358, paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code. The suspect allegedly bribed an official at the Ministry of Economy to perform an official act that they were not authorized to carry out, namely, to secure a license for conducting catering activities without submitting a license application and despite knowing that his establishment did not meet the legal requirements.
