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Supreme Prosecutor's Office reopens ‘Mazut’ fuel investigation
The Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office in Skopje has ordered the reopening of the ‘Mazut’ investigation, which concerns the fuel supply for the Negotino Thermal Power Plant (TEC Negotino) during the 2021–2023 energy crisis. This decision follows an appeal by ESM (Elektranat e Maqedonisë së Veriut) after the initial investigation was halted in May 2026 due to a lack of evidence.
The prosecution cited weaknesses in previous expert assessments and has ordered new forensic examinations and the collection of additional data. The case involves suspicions of misuse of public procurement procedures, money laundering, and potential financial gain for 13 individuals and one legal entity. Key figures under scrutiny include businessmen Ratko Kapushevski, Asmir Jahoski, and Erxhan Sulkoski, as well as former ESM director Vasko Kovacevski.
Critics, including university professor Gordan Kalajdziev, have questioned the legality of the move, suggesting it may be politically motivated and undermines legal certainty and the presumption of innocence. Previous findings indicated that no damage of 167 million euros had been proven, fuel deliveries were timely, and no environmental pollution from the plant was recorded during the period in question.
Entities
Basic Public Prosecutor's Office against Organized Crime and Corruption · ESM · Goran Kalajdziev · Gordan Kalajdziev · Higher Public Prosecutor's Office Skopje · North Macedonia · Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office Skopje · TECO Negotino · TEČ Negotino
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] TECO Negotino reported a profit of approximately 36.5 million euros in 2022. www.brif.mk · novatv.mk
- [● 3 SOURCES] Previous investigations found no evidence of damage to ESM or the state budget. www.brif.mk · libertas.mk · novatv.mk
- [● 3 SOURCES] Professor Goran Kalajdziev criticized the decision, suggesting it may be politically motivated and contrary to legal certainty and the presumption of innocence. www.brif.mk · libertas.mk · novatv.mk
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Higher Public Prosecutor's Office Skopje ordered the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office against Organized Crime and Corruption (GOCC) to conduct new expert examinations and gather additional data. www.brif.mk · libertas.mk · novatv.mk
- [● 3 SOURCES] Official reports from TECO Negotino indicated no registered pollution or exceeding of fuel quality limits during the period under investigation. www.brif.mk · libertas.mk · novatv.mk
- [● 3 SOURCES] The GOCC previously halted the investigation due to a lack of evidence. www.brif.mk · libertas.mk · novatv.mk
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Higher Public Prosecutor's Office Skopje ordered the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office against Organized Crime and Corruption (GOCC) to continue the investigation. www.brif.mk · libertas.mk · novatv.mk
- [● 3 SOURCES] No evidence was found to support the 167 million euro damage claim initially reported by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. www.brif.mk · libertas.mk · novatv.mk
- [● 2 SOURCES] TEC Negotino reported a profit of approximately 36.5 million euros in 2022. www.brif.mk · novatv.mk
- [● 3 SOURCES] Professor Gordan Kalajdziev suggested the decision to reopen the case may be politically motivated. www.brif.mk · libertas.mk · novatv.mk
- [● 3 SOURCES] No damage to ESM or the state budget was established in previous findings. www.brif.mk · libertas.mk · novatv.mk
- [● 3 SOURCES] Official reports from TEC Negotino indicated no registered pollution or exceeding of fuel quality limits during the period under investigation. www.brif.mk · libertas.mk · novatv.mk