Skopje, 20 March 2026 (MIA) – Police officers arrested the head of the State Agriculture Inspectorate V.A., a 41-year-old man, after being suspected of receiving €50,000 in bribe, the first instalment out of a total of €100,000, the Interior Ministry said. He has been charged with receiving bribe.

The suspect, in his capacity as office holder, via a freight forwarder, indirectly requested a bribe from the owner of a company dealing with imports. The bribe was a request to enable the unhindered import of goods for which there were remarks and alleged legal non-compliance, for which a report was written by the Inspectorate.

The bribe should have been paid in three instalments with the first one being €50,000 and the last two €25,000 each. 

In the wake of the arrest of the head of the State Agriculture Inspectorate, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy said it strongly condemns any illegal conduct and unlawful actions.

“We expect competent institutions, the Ministry of the Interior and the Public Prosecutor’s Office to investigate the case and act in accordance with the laws,” said the ministry on Friday.

Breaking of laws and abuse of office must be sanctioned and anyone who has broken the law should be brought to justice, it noted. 

MIA file photo