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 NOVEMBER 2024
- The SCPC adopted a decision that the appointment of four new members of the Management Board of the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors was Illegal – The State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (SCPC) has determined that the appointment of four new members to the Management Board of the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors was illegal. The Judicial Council and the Council of Public Prosecutors nominated members from the judicial and prosecutorial professions, but according to the SCPC, this violates the Law on Prevention of Corruption and conflict of interests and the Law on the Academy, as they should have appointed active judges and prosecutors. The unauthorized accumulation of power poses a potential conflict of interest, according to the anti-corruption body, which will request that the two councils annul the decisions through which Judicial Council members Antoaneta Dimovska and Haif Zendeli, and the President of the Prosecutorial Council, Dušica Dimitrieska, were nominated as new members of the Academy’s Management Board.
- The SCPC requests disciplinary action against a Judicial Council member who sought accountability for Supreme Court judges in a case involving his sister as an attorney – The State Commission for Prevention of Corruption will submit an initiative to the Judicial Council and the Judges’ Association to launch disciplinary proceedings against a member of the Judicial Council for “conflict of interest” and “bias in the performance of duties.” The member initiated proceedings to establish accountability for Supreme Court judges handling a case where his sister was the attorney. The SCPC noted that the broader issue of disregard of conflicts of interest among Judicial Council members, who oversee and control the work of all judges in the country, creates opportunities for undue influence and pressure on judges handling cases involving the Council members’ close relatives. This directly undermines the independence and autonomy of the judiciary, which the Judicial Council is tasked with safeguarding. According to the SCPC, the Council member acted contrary to Articles 73 and 75 of the Law on the Prevention of Corruption and Conflict of Interest, committing a violation for which the Commission will initiate proceedings to issue a misdemeanor sanction.
- The SCPC initiates proceedings against Kostadinovska-Stojchevska for using state funds for private purposes during an official trip to the UK – Former Minister of Culture Bisera Kostadinovska-Stojchevska used public funds for private purposes during her official trip to the United Kingdom from October 24th to 27th last year. This was determined by the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption (SCPC), which opened a case in August this year after receiving information on the matter.
- A procedure to determine responsibility for judge Pajaziti will be open, Judicial Council made decision in a closed session – The Judicial Council has decided to initiate proceedings to determine the responsibility of Judge Pajazit Pajaziti. The initiative concerns the judge’s handling of the detention of Blerim Ramadani, a former KLA soldier and a citizen of Kosovo. The first initiative to establish responsibility for Judge Pajaziti was rejected by the Council due to a lack of sufficient evidence. The decision was made in a closed session without the presence of journalists.
- Construction Inspector bribed to avoid issuance of a report for illegal structure – The Kumanovo Public Prosecutor’s Office has ordered detention for a construction inspector from the Municipality of Kumanovo who was caught accepting a bribe. The investigation revealed that on November 1, in a restaurant in Kumanovo, the suspect, acting in her official capacity as a construction inspector in the Municipality’s Construction Inspection Department, requested and accepted a gift in exchange for not performing an official duty she was required to undertake. This act allowed her to obtain significant material benefit.
“LIGHT” OCCURRENCES FOR NOVEMBER 2024
- AJM files complaint against Bitola judge for Improper conduct toward journalists–
The Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM) has filed a complaint within the Skopje Basic Criminal Court and the Judges’ Association, requesting appropriate measures for the unprofessional and improper behavior of Judge Cvetanka Nikodinovska from the Basic Court in Bitola towards journalists and media workers. Judge Nikodinovska prohibited journalists from SakamDaKazham.mk and TV Telma from filming and photographing the trial of the president of a Bulgarian club at the Basic Court in Bitola, even though they had received authorization from the Supreme Court. Outside the courtroom, court staff demanded that journalists hand over their phones to judicial police officers and that the cameraman left his camera at the reception desk. While journalists were allowed to attend the hearing as citizens, their attendance was recorded in the minutes as members of the press. AJM stated, “Although the journalists had Supreme Court approval to cover the case, the judge obstructed their right to report, violating transparency principles and the public’s right to be informed.”
- Criminal charges for negligence in service and dismissal of 15 high-ranking Interior Ministry Officials – The Department of Internal Control, Criminal Investigations, and Professional Standards at the Ministry of Internal Affairs has filed criminal charges within the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime and Corruption against 25 Ministry employees for suspected negligence in service under Article 353-v of the Criminal Code. The accused, served as chairpersons and members of the Commission for Reviewing and Preparing Proposals for Firearm Permits in Skopje, Kumanovo, Tetovo, and Bitola from 2021 to 2024. They allegedly acted negligently by issuing positive recommendations for firearm purchase permits contrary to the provisions of the Law on Firearms.
- Criminal charges against employee of National Forests for accepting bribes –
The Strumica Police Department has filed criminal charges against a clerk at the “National Forests” public enterprise—Belasica branch—on suspicion of accepting bribes over the past six years from a local resident seeking logging permits. The Ministry of Interior stated that the suspect abused his official position by demanding and receiving payments, either directly or through intermediaries. After receiving the bribe, the clerk contacted another individual authorized to issue logging permits for the Ograzhden mountain and requested the issuance of the permit. On November 6, 2024, the suspect was arrested by police while accepting a payment. Searches conducted at his home and two other locations uncovered evidence connected to the alleged crimes. Following his arrest, a Strumica Basic Court judge ordered 30 days of detention.
