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3 clusters · 25 sources · 3 days · First seen 14 days ago · Last updated 11 days ago

North Macedonia fuel procurement investigation

Overview

The Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Skopje has ordered the reopening of the ‘Mazut’ investigation into fuel procurement for the Negotino Thermal Power Plant during the 2021–2023 energy crisis. This decision follows an appeal by North Macedonia Electricity Enterprises (ESM) after the investigation was initially halted in May 2026 due to a lack of evidence.

The probe focuses on allegations of public procurement abuse and money laundering involving 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. Prosecutors aim to determine if ESM misused state funds through emergency procurement laws, with initial estimates suggesting potential damages of approximately 167.55 million euros.

In implementing the reopening, the Higher Prosecutor's Office has directed the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office against Organized Crime and Corruption (GOCC) to conduct new forensic examinations and gather additional data. This follows previous findings that failed to prove the alleged 167 million euro damage or fuel quality violations.

Legal experts have criticized the move. Professor Gordan Kalajdziev suggested the decision may be “politically motivated,” arguing it undermines legal certainty and the presumption of innocence. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Panče Toshkovski has expressed hope that the prosecution will demonstrate “courage and professionalism,” noting that information shared with him by investigators suggests the case details will be “shocking to the public” once officially released.

Entities

Higher Public Prosecutor's Office Skopje · Negotino Thermal Power Plant · Goran Kalajdziev · TEČ Negotino · Lepa Brena

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 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] Previous investigations found no evidence of damage to ESM or the state budget. 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] 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 GOCC previously halted the investigation due to a lack of evidence. 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
[● 3 SOURCES] The Higher Public Prosecutor's Office cited weaknesses in previous expert reports as the reason for requiring new findings. www.brif.mk · libertas.mk · novatv.mk
[● 2 SOURCES] TECO Negotino reported a profit of approximately 36.5 million euros in 2022. www.brif.mk · novatv.mk

Timeline

11 days ago

[POLITICS] 8 sources
Panče Toshkovski urges prosecution to pursue Mazut affair investigation
Interior Minister Panče Toshkovski urged prosecutors to pursue justice in the ‘Mazut’ affair following the decision to resume the investigation into fuel procurement for the Negotino Thermal Power Plant.
11 days ago

[CRIME] 7 sources
Supreme Prosecutor's Office reopens ‘Mazut’ fuel investigation
The Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office in Skopje has reopened the ‘Mazut’ investigation into fuel procurement for TEC Negotino, ordering new expert assessments despite previous findings of no proven damage.
14 days ago

[CRIME] 12 sources
Skopje prosecutors reopen fuel procurement investigation
The Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Skopje has ordered the resumption of an investigation into fuel procurement for the Negotino Thermal Power Plant, citing weaknesses in previous findings.

Sources

a1on.mk · aktuale.mk · brif.mk · centar.mk · denesen.mk · koha.mk · lajmpress.org · libertas.mk · lider.mk · lideri.mk · lokalno.mk · miroslavaarpasova.blog.sme.sk · nacionalno.mk · nezavisen.mk · novamakedonija.com.mk · novatv.mk · opserver.mk · pari.com.mk · plusinfo.mk · press24.mk · republika.mk · telegrafi.com · ts.mk · utrinskivesnik.mk · zoom.mk

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history