Authorities in North Macedonia have launched an investigation into eight former senior officials, including a former Prime Minister, concerning financial misconduct related to gambling licenses issued to the national lottery company by the previous government.
Interior Minister Pance Toskovski confirmed the investigation but did not disclose names, only stating that those under investigation include a former Prime Minister, a former Deputy Prime Minister, a former director of a legal entity, and a former Secretary-General, along with other civil servants associated with the legal entity involved.
Local media reports suggest that the officials involved include former Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski, who led the Social Democratic government from 2022 to 2024, and Deputy Prime Minister Artan Grubi.
So far, there has been no official statement or arrests regarding the investigation, and those implicated have not publicly commented.
It is important to note that the investigation is being conducted under allegations of financial losses amounting to approximately 8.2 million euros (861 million US dollars).
As part of the investigation, the police recently searched nine different locations.
The alleged misconduct involves irregularities in gambling licenses approved by the government led by the Social Democrats, which was replaced by the conservative VMRO-DPMNE party after the elections in May.
Given the high-profile nature of the allegations and the officials involved, the outcome of the investigation is likely to be closely monitored.
