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 OCTOBER 2025
Suspensions and preliminary investigation: The “Pulse” Investigation expands –
the Public Revenue Office has suspended several employees after the Public Prosecutor’s Office launched a preliminary investigation into the nightclub fire in Kochani, based on new evidence involving multiple institutions. “The filing of the indictment for the fire at the so-called cabaret ‘Pulse’ in Kochani did not conclude the investigative procedures into other incriminating actions related to other individuals and institutions,” said State Public Prosecutor Ljupcho Kocevski.
Appeals court judge Enver Bedzeti dismissed after being placed on U.S. blacklist –
The Judicial Council dismissed Judge Enver Bedzeti from the Skopje Appeals Court. Last year, he was placed on the U.S. blacklist over suspicions of accepting a bribe in the court case regarding mass wiretapping, in which former Administration for Security and Counterintelligence director Sasho Mijalkov was charged. The council’s explanation states that he was dismissed due to a serious disciplinary violation, rendering him unfit to hold the position of judge.
Only a third of election campaign participants submitted donation reports –
Reports on received donations were submitted by 35 percent of all participants in the election campaign, the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (SCPC) announced. “According to the deadline for submitting reports on donations received in the campaign’s transaction account, covering the period from the account opening until the 11th day of the election campaign, i.e., until October 9, 2025, at 24:00, a total of 61 reports were submitted to the SCPC. This represents slightly over 35 percent of the total number of participants in the election process,” the SCPC stated.
Rule of law in North Macedonia stagnates – This year, North Macedonia ranks 64th out of 143 countries on the global Rule of Law Index, alongside Ghana, Argentina, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia. According to the criterion of constraints on government powers, the country ranks 80th with a score of 0.50; for absence of corruption, it ranks 69th with an index of 0.47; and for government transparency, it ranks 66th with a score of 0.51. In terms of fundamental rights, North Macedonia is in 53rd place with a score of 0.63. Regarding the criterion of order and security, the country is ranked 44th with a score of 0.80; for regulatory enforcement, 89th with 0.46; for civil justice, 78th with an index of 0.51; and for criminal justice, 70th with 0.46 points. The World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index is a global source of original, independent data on the rule of law and serves as a tool to support reforms in governance, global development, and business investment worldwide.
Audit: “Post of North Macedonia” faces losses and increased staffing – The state-owned “Post of North Macedonia” is once again under scrutiny from auditors due to ongoing financial losses and rising costs for hiring contract workers. Despite reduced salary expenses, the number of employees grew to 2,267 in 2024, while expenses for contractors increased by nearly 29 million denars compared to the previous year. Auditors also raised concerns about the collectability of receivables exceeding 50 million denars and overestimated revenues from international postal services. The report emphasizes that the continued operation of “Post of North Macedonia” depends on financial support from the state due to high costs and an increasingly apparent liquidity shortage.
“LIGHT” OCCURRENCES FOR OCTOBER 2025
Investigation into abuse and mistreatment in private elderly care facilities –
A public prosecutor from the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Skopje issued an order to initiate an investigation against two individuals suspected of the criminal offense of continued abuse of official position and authority. The actions coordinated by the prosecutor secured evidence confirming a well-founded suspicion that the two suspects, in their capacities as owners and authorized representatives of two private social care institutions for the elderly in Skopje, acted in violation of the Law on Social Protection. With the intent of obtaining financial gain for themselves, they severely infringed upon the rights of the residents under their care.
New investigation into abuses at Mining and Energy Combine(MEC) Bitola – The Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Bitola has issued an order to initiate an investigation against eight individuals and one legal entity for continued criminal offenses related to public procurement at MEC Bitola. Preliminary investigative actions secured evidence indicating a well-founded suspicion that five of the suspects—officials at MEC Bitola, including the then director of the plant and four managers and directors at the Mining Unit in MEC Bitola—committed, as co-perpetrators during 2023, the continued criminal offense of abuse of official position and authority.
Detention for six and precautionary measures for fifteen in the Prilep Hospital case –
The Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Prilep submitted proposals to the Prilep Court in the case of the General Hospital in Prilep, seeking detention for six individuals, precautionary measures for about fifteen others, and restrictions on participation in public procurement procedures for six to seven legal entities from Prilep, Bitola, and Skopje. The investigation concerns allegations of financial malpractices, fictitious procurements, and misuse of public funds.
Criminal report against former manager at Public Enterprise “National Forests” – Bitola
The Bitola Police Department filed a criminal complaint on suspicion of the offense of “negligent performance of official duties.” According to the complaint, the suspect, in his capacity as a former manager at PE “National Forests” – branch “Kajmakchalan” Bitola, failed to act according to his official responsibilities during 2023. Instead of overseeing the execution of a contract between PE “National Forests” – Skopje and a sawmill in the village of Dihovo, and ensuring that no delivery of technical wood occurred before advance payment, he allowed the delivery of timber without prior payment. As a result of this action, it is suspected that the private legal entity gained material benefit, while the public enterprise suffered damages amounting to 321,765 denars.
