Macedonia's OKTA oil supplier excluded from 'Mazut' investigation

The public inquiry into the so‑called “Mazut” case examined the purchase of heavy fuel oil for the Negotino power plant during the 2022‑2023 energy crisis. Although roughly 99 % of the fuel under scrutiny was supplied by the company OKTA, the prosecutor’s office did not name the firm as a subject of the organized‑crime and corruption probe. The investigation found no evidence that the oil breached legal quality standards, nor that it caused any environmental contamination; air‑quality monitoring at the plant recorded no pollution incidents. No financial damage was reported by the plant’s owner, AD ESM.

OKTA responded that all its products undergo strict quality‑control procedures in an accredited laboratory and that it fully cooperated with the relevant authorities. The company stated, “the case you refer to is officially closed… OKTA fully respects the role of the relevant institutions and cooperated throughout the process,” emphasizing compliance with national fuel‑quality regulations and readiness to continue cooperating with officials.

Regulatory bodies such as the Energy Commission, the State Administration, and the Market Inspection Authority maintain continuous oversight of fuel imports and quality, but the prosecutorial inquiry was halted due to a lack of concrete evidence.