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North Macedonia fuel procurement investigation

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-01 15:00 UTC → 2026-09-02 12:58 UTC · added removed

The Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Skopje has ordered the reopening of an the ‘Mazut’ investigation into fuel procurement for the Negotino Thermal Power Plant, often referred to as Plant during the ‘Mazut’ investigation. 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 during the energy crisis period of 2021–2023. 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 North Macedonia Electricity Enterprises (ESM) ESM misused state funds through emergency procurement laws, with initial estimates suggesting potential damages of approximately 167.55 million euros. The decision to resume the case follows a previous order to halt the investigation due to a lack of evidence. Previous findings indicated no proof of the alleged 167 million euro damage to the state budget or ESM, and reports from TEC Negotino showed no fuel quality violations or pollution during the period, noting that the plant earned a profit of roughly 36.5 million euros in 2022. 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 expert assessments forensic examinations and gather additional data from various institutions. 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 move decision may be “politically motivated,” arguing that revising a previous decision 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.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-02 12:58 UTC North Macedonia fuel procurement investigation
  2. 2026-09-01 15:00 UTC North Macedonia fuel procurement investigation
  3. 2026-08-31 20:14 UTC North Macedonia fuel procurement investigation

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