CORRUPTION BAROMETER FOR SEPTEMBER 2024
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 institutions, and over time, it has evolved into a relevant alternative barometer for measuring corruption and assessing the government’s willingness to address this issue.
“DARK” OCCURRENCES FOR SEPTEMBER 2024
- The State Commission for Prevention of Corruption has opened 65 cases for violations of the Electoral Code and the Law on Prevention of Corruption in connection with the 2024 election campaign – During the election process, the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption opened a total of 65 cases. These cases result of Reports alleging violations of the Electoral Code and the Law on Prevention of Corruption, as well as cases initiated by the Commission itself and a complaint submitted by an organizer of the election campaign.
- The State Audit Office found several irregularities in the financial operations of the University Clinic of Neurology – In its final report, the State Audit Office expressed an unfavorable opinion regarding the accuracy and objectivity of the financial reports for 2023 from the public healthcare institution, University Clinic of Neurology, and a reserved opinion on the compliance of financial transactions with relevant legal regulations. In some of the conducted public procurement procedures, inappropriate application of the Public Procurement Law was observed.
- Inconsistencies in managing budget funds and court deposits, noted by auditors – The audit report for the financial operations of the Basic Civil Court Skopje for 2023 reveals serious systemic weaknesses and inconsistencies in managing budget funds and court deposits. According to the findings, the judicial authority does not receive the legally determined percentage of the state budget, and some financial documents are either incomplete or outdated. Additionally, the auditors uncovered a lack of reliable accounting documents for the properties housing the court, as well as a lease agreement from 1989 that has not been updated to reflect the current currency system. The audit also points to problems with court deposits, dating from the period 2005-2023, with their status not properly determined. This raises questions about the transparency and management of court funds.
- Research by the Center for Civil Communications: Corruption is often present in tenders, primarily due to political interests and bribery – The analyses by the Center for Civil Communications indicate that the majority of those involved in public procurement, or 56%, believe that companies are the primary generators of corruption rather than the institutions and their employees, while 16% believe that both sides contribute to corruption. In the public procurement procedures of state institutions, corruption is often present; say those responsible for overseeing these processes. It is most prevalent as a result of political interests but also takes the form of bribery. Companies participating in tenders are seen as a larger source of corruption compared to individuals within the institutions. These findings come from the Report on the regular monitoring of public procurement, published by the Center for Civil Communications.
- 13 civil organizations demand amendments to the Urban Planning Law – The O2 initiative, along with 12 other civil organizations, submitted a proposal law to Parliament for amending the Urban Planning Law. The proposed amendments aim to increase the transparency of the process of adopting urban plans and approving urban projects, to enhance timely and broader public participation, as well as involving the Municipal Council, thereby reducing the risks of corruption.
“LIGHT” OCCURRENCES FOR SEPTEMBER 2024
- A preliminary investigation has been opened for Judge Elvedin Ferati, who altered his grades at Tetovo University – A preliminary investigation has been initiated for Judge Elvedin Ferati from the Basic Court in Tetovo after the State Educational Inspectorate discovered that he altered his grades at the State University of Tetovo by crossing them out and correcting them. The investigation is being conducted by the Skopje Public Prosecutor’s Office. “The Skopje Public Prosecutor’s Office is acting on information provided by the State Educational Inspectorate and is taking steps in the preliminary investigation to examine all circumstances,” said the Prosecutor’s Office. His case was revealed last December by the Anti-Corruption Commission as a part of a large audit that counted faculties and graduates who had been awarded diplomas with an insufficient number of credits.
- Upon the initiative of the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption, the Skopje Public Prosecution’s Office has begun proceedings against the former organizational director of the Toxicology Clinic – The State Commission for Prevention of Corruption announced that the Skopje Public Prosecutors ‘Office, following the SCPC’s initiative for criminal prosecution, accepted the proposal, opened a case, and began proceedings based on an indictment proposal against the organizational director of the University Clinic for Toxicology. According to the indictment proposal, the accused is charged with abuse of official position and authority under Article 353, paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code.
- The Supreme Court, through amendments to its Rules of procedure, has opened general session to the public and media – “The proposed changes are based on the constitutional and legal principles of judicial transparency, the highest international legal norms integrated into domestic legislation, the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights, the standards of the European Court of Human Rights, international judicial documents, and the efforts and activities of the Council for Open Judiciary,” said the President of the Supreme Court, Besa Ademi, while explaining the amendments. A general session was held at the Supreme Court with the sole agenda item being a proposal to amend and supplement the Rules of Procedure of the Supreme Court of the Republic of North Macedonia.
Corruption Barometer, September 2024
