North Macedonia's Negotino Power Plant mazut procurement case stalls as prosecutors halt investigation

The State Audit Office reported irregularities in the 167 million‑euro purchase of mazut fuel for the Negotino thermal power plant, noting that the supplied fuel differed from the contract and contained impurities that damaged plant equipment. Despite these findings, public prosecutors led by Islam Abazi and Katërina Kolareviç ordered the criminal investigation to be stopped, citing a lack of proven financial damage.

Electric power company ESМ (ELEM) says prosecutors misrepresented engineers' statements, which were given by officials not authorized to assess financial loss. ESМ contends the technical experts only confirmed no damage to the production plan and that their comments were used to justify ending the case. The company is preparing an appeal to higher prosecution and has called for an audit by the public prosecutor council.

Opposition party VMRO‑DPMNE accused the prosecutors of selective treatment and of ignoring evidence of potential corruption, money laundering, and environmental harm, alleging links between the prosecutors and the ruling SDSM and DUI parties. The controversy has heightened political tensions over the handling of the high‑value procurement case.