North Macedonia prosecutors Abazi and Kolevich accused of covering up 167‑million‑euro mazut deal

A state audit in 2024 found serious irregularities in the procurement of mazut fuel for the Negotino thermal power plant, valued at about €167 million. The audit revealed that the fuel was supplied by a different contractor than the one named in the contract and that the delivered mazut contained significant impurities, causing damage to the plant’s fuel system.

Prosecutors Islam Abazi, head of the GOKK anti‑corruption office, and Katërina Kolevich, a state prosecutor, were accused of stopping the criminal investigation into the purchase despite the audit’s findings. Critics claim the duo protected officials linked to the ruling SDSM‑DUI coalition, including members of parliament and senior party figures, from liability.

VMRO‑DPMNE deputy Antonio Milososki publicly denounced the prosecutors, suggesting their actions were driven by personal and political interests and highlighting the political connections of Kolevich’s parents to the SDSM‑DUI administration. The controversy centers on alleged corruption, money‑laundering, and environmental damage linked to the faulty fuel contract.