North Macedonia enters the end of 2025 with a series of high-profile corruption investigations that remain unresolved, raising concerns about accountability in the country’s public institutions. Cases under scrutiny include multimillion-euro misappropriations linked to fuel procurement for the Negotino thermal power plant, questionable contracts at the State Lottery, and alleged abuses within the Government’s General and Common Affairs Service (SOZR).
The fuel procurement case, involving 13 individuals and one company, has drawn significant attention. Prosecutors suspect that the state budget may have been defrauded of €167.5 million. Among those implicated are prominent businessmen such as Asmir Jahoski, owner of “Pucko Petrol,” and Ratko Kapushevski and Erdjan Sulkoski, owners of the company RKM. The investigation centers on tenders and contracts issued between 2021 and 2023 for fuel supplied to the Negotino power plant and includes allegations of public procurement fraud and money laundering.
Authorities are awaiting additional documentation from the Ministry of Interior and expert assistance from state university faculties to clarify results from fuel samples sent to an accredited laboratory in Serbia. “The requested data, documentation, and analysis from the Ministry of Interior are expected by the end of this year, after which a decision on further proceedings will be made,” said North Macedonia’s Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office for Prosecution of Organized Crime and Corruption (OJO GOKK).
Corruption cases linked to the State Lottery further illustrate systemic issues. Asmir Jahoski is also under investigation for a contentious lease contract worth €2.6 million. Former Deputy Prime Minister Artan Grubi is implicated in other lottery-related embezzlements and remains at large, listed on the U.S. sanctions blacklist. Prosecutors cannot proceed with his trial due to his absence, as the alleged offense carries a prison sentence of over five years.
Meanwhile, former SOZR director Petce Mirchevski’s investigation has concluded, with the defense currently reviewing evidence. Mirchevski is suspected of accepting bribes, misappropriating public resources, and failing to report conflicts of interest. Allegedly, he used government assets for personal benefit, including travel and vehicle services linked to his spouse, while ensuring contracts were awarded to connected parties.
The developments come amid a leadership transition in the Prosecutor’s Office. Chief prosecutor Ljupcho Kotzevski resigned on December 16, one day before Parliament was to debate his dismissal, citing political interference and a disregard for the principles of the rule of law. In the interim, Anita Topolova-Isajlovska has been appointed acting chief prosecutor, but her mandate cannot exceed six months while a permanent successor is selected.
Legal analysts warn that, despite some investigations reaching final stages, systemic weaknesses and political pressures continue to delay accountability. With high-profile corruption cases unresolved, public confidence in North Macedonia’s judicial system faces a critical test.
Observers note that the outcome of these investigations—and whether the implicated officials will face justice—could significantly influence perceptions of governance and the rule of law in the country.
(Based on RFE/RL reports)