Financial Crime World

Corruption Watch: Macedonian Authorities Fail to Stem Tide of Punishable Acts

Despite efforts to combat graft, the government and financial institutions in North Macedonia continue to turn a blind eye to punishable acts related to corruption. This shocking expose reveals that corrupt practices are allowed to flourish due to lack of action from authorities.

Lack of Proactive Reporting

According to Article 58 of the Law on Prevention of Corruption, employees in financial institutions are required to proactively report suspicious transactions linked to corruption. However:

  • These reports are often ignored or downplayed
  • Corrupt practices are allowed to flourish

Impunity for Corrupt Officials and Businessmen

The authorities have failed to extradite individuals suspected of corruption-related crimes, citing lack of dual criminality as a reason. This has led to a culture of impunity among corrupt officials and businessmen.

Consequences of Lack of Extradition

  • Foreign sentences cannot be enforced in North Macedonia unless the condition of dual criminality is met
  • Criminals can easily evade punishment by committing their crimes abroad

Government Response

The government’s response to corruption-related offenses has been slow and ineffective:

  • The authorities have failed to investigate and prosecute cases of corruption
  • Corrupt officials are allowed to continue their nefarious activities with impunity

Political Will

The lack of political will to tackle corruption has led to a breakdown in public trust in the institutions and a sense of hopelessness among citizens.

Corruption Offences Extraditable

Not all corruption offences are extraditable. According to Article 43 of the Law on International Legal Assistance:

  • Only those offences that meet the conditions related to dual criminality and a minimum period of imprisonment are extraditable
  • Most corruption offences punishable by at least one year are extraditable

Transfer of Sentenced Persons

North Macedonia is also a party to the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons and its Additional Protocol. This means that sentenced persons can be transferred between countries, subject to certain conditions.

Conditions for Transfer

  • The Law on International Legal Assistance provides for the possibility of taking over criminal proceedings in case of dual criminality
  • Transferring to a foreign State criminal proceedings for criminal offences punishable by up to ten years imprisonment

The Law on International Legal Assistance also provides for mutual legal assistance measures. The central authority responsible for receiving MLA requests is the Ministry of Justice - Department for International Legal Assistance.

Challenges

  • MLA requests are often delayed or denied, hindering efforts to combat corruption and other serious crimes

Conclusion

The situation in North Macedonia is dire, with corrupt officials and businessmen enjoying impunity and the government failing to take decisive action to tackle corruption. It is time for the authorities to take bold steps to stem the tide of punishable acts related to corruption and restore faith in the system. The public demands action, and it is the responsibility of the government to deliver.