Financial Crime World

Scandal in North Macedonia: PM Takes Temporary Charge of Finance Ministry Amidst Money Laundering Allegations and Arrests of Former Officials

Prime Minister Zaev Takes on Double Function as Minister of Finance

  • North Macedonia’s Prime Minister, Zoran Zaev, announced that he would take on the role of Minister of Finance temporarily
  • The move came days after Zaev introduced new ministers for various portfolios
  • The Anti-Corruption Commission intervened, preventing Zaev from officially holding two functions

Arrest of Former Minister on Embezzlement Charges

  • A former Minister of Transport and Communications, Mile Janakieski, was arrested on charges of embezzlement worth around €2 million
  • The embezzlement charges unfolded during the construction of the Spanish steps in Skopje

EU Country Report Acknowledges Corruption Progress but Notes Concerns

  • The European Commission published the North Macedonia Country Report for 2018
  • The report acknowledged progress in fighting high-level corruption and improving legislation against it, but emphasized that corruption remains a significant concern
  • The importance of strengthening the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing was also underscored, with some progress noted but further alignment with EU regulations required

Former Government Officials Sentenced for Roles in Protests and Parliament Invasion

  • A North Macedonian court sentenced 16 former government officials to prison terms ranging from 7 to 18 years
  • Among those sentenced were the former interior minister Mitko Cavkov and several police officers for their roles in violent protests and the invasion of Parliament in 2017

Ongoing Corruption Investigations

  • The special prosecutor’s office continues investigations of corruption in the former ruling party, VMRO-DPMNE
  • Allegations against party officials, including former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, who fled to Hungary in November, indicate involvement in extortion, illicit land deals, and money laundering amounting to millions of euros

Addressing Corruption in North Macedonia

  • These latest developments in North Macedonia underscore the need for continued efforts from both governmental and international organizations to combat and eradicate corruption in the country.