VMRO-DPMNE criticizes Macedonian judiciary over hospital tragedy acquittal

The VMRO-DPMNE political party has accused the Macedonian judiciary of acting as a shield for political figures from the SDS and DUI parties. The criticism follows a ruling by Judge Afrim Fidani, who acquitted former Tetovo hospital directors Artan Etemi and Florin Besimi regarding a fire that resulted in the deaths of 14 citizens.

VMRO-DPMNE expressed concerns regarding the lack of criminal responsibility for decision-makers involved during the period of the tragedy. The party questioned why the fire was attributed to a cable rather than the accountability of hospital leadership or former Health Minister Venko Filipce. This follows a previous instance where prosecutor Islam Abazi closed a case regarding the procurement of modular hospitals, which the party claims protected Filipce from accountability.