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Gostivar water scandal investigation expands, officials detained
The Public Prosecutor's Office has broadened its probe into the contaminated water supply in Gostivar, Macedonia. It has ordered extensive documentation from the municipality, JP Komunalec, the local Dr Feris Murad hospital and the Public Health Center in Tetovo, covering financial reports, chlorine tender contracts, official orders, inter‑agency communications and decisions on the disputed water pumps.
Laboratory analysis of nine water samples showed only one sample compliant, while the other eight displayed irregularities. Health Minister Sasho Klekovski said the inquiry will also examine whether authorities attempted to conceal the case and whether they acted promptly on received information. A parallel investigation is under way into the death of a water‑works employee ten days before the contested pumps were to be commissioned, with an initial cause identified as a heart attack.
Three senior officials of JP Komunalec – Artan Asani, Leon Uredini and Vdedin Dervishi – have been placed in pre‑trial detention for 30 days. Government agencies continue efforts to stabilise the water supply, and the number of citizens seeking medical assistance for water‑related problems has been decreasing, indicating an improving situation. Political opposition parties have been accused of exploiting the scandal for partisan gain.
Entities
Artan Asani · Artana Asani · Gostivar · Gostivar municipality · JP Komunalec · Leon Uredini · Sasho Klekovski · Vdedin Dervishi
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Analysis of nine water samples found only one sample compliant; the other eight showed irregularities. lider.mk · plusinfo.mk
- [● 4 SOURCES] The number of citizens seeking medical assistance for water‑related issues is decreasing, indicating an improving situation. republika.mk · vmro-dpmne.org.mk · lider.mk · plusinfo.mk
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Prosecutor's Office has expanded the investigation into Gostivar's contaminated water and requested extensive documentation from municipal authorities, JP Komunalec, the local hospital and the Tet lider.mk · plusinfo.mk
- [● 2 SOURCES] The investigation includes financial reports, chlorine tender contracts, official orders, inter‑agency communications and decisions on water pump installations. lider.mk · plusinfo.mk
- [● 3 SOURCES] Opposition party SDSM is using the water scandal to gain political points, spreading inaccurate information and creating panic among citizens. republika.mk · vmro-dpmne.org.mk · libertas.mk
- [● 2 SOURCES] Health Minister Sasho Klekovski said the probe will examine possible cover‑up attempts and whether authorities acted promptly upon receiving information. lider.mk · plusinfo.mk
- [● 2 SOURCES] A separate investigation is being conducted into the death of a water‑works employee who died ten days before the disputed pumps were to be commissioned, with an initial cause identified as a heart‑at lider.mk · plusinfo.mk
- [● 2 SOURCES] Three JP Komunalec officials – Artan Asani, Leon Uredini and Vdedin Dervishi – have been placed in pre‑trial detention for 30 days. lider.mk · plusinfo.mk