PM Christian Miccinski Launches Probe into Borche Markovski Passport Issue

North Macedonian Prime Minister Christian Miccinski said the return of businessman Borche Markovski's passport was the result of a "gross manipulation" by a local public prosecutor in Bitola and announced that an investigation will be opened, without specifying which authority will lead it. He noted a discrepancy between the opinion of the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office in Struga, which initially opposed the passport's return, and the positive opinion later given by the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Bitola.

Markovski, accused of tender abuse in the public procurement of REK Bitola, had his passport restored after posting a guarantee of more than five million euros, allowing him to travel to Serbia. The trial is scheduled to begin on 2 September at the Basic Court in Struga. His lawyer argues that the guarantee eliminates any flight risk and that the decision should set a precedent for similarly accused individuals.