Skopje, 14 February 2025 (MIA) – In accordance with the conclusion of the Government’s 50th session held on February 11, the Ministry of Justice took action and prepared an opinion regarding the proposed dismissal of the Chief Public Prosecutor, which was forwarded to the Government for further steps in accordance with the Law on Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Constitution.

“Over the past period, we have witnessed numerous scandals, a disruption in the functionality of the Public Prosecutor’s Office deteriorated interpersonal relations, unlawful actions, corruption, inefficiency in criminal prosecution, and violations of the principles of organization within the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the independence of prosecutors in the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office,” as stated in Friday’s press release from the Ministry of Justice.

As noted by the Ministry of Justice, the Chief Prosecutor of the Republic of North Macedonia acted in cases where legal provisions indicated circumstances that would raise doubts about his impartiality and conflict of interest, circumstances he should have known about and should have excluded himself from.

In addition, information and details about cases were disclosed to the public, which violated the duty of confidentiality in the proceedings, as stated in the press release.

According to the Ministry of Justice, the Law on Public Prosecutor’s Office states that the Chief Public Prosecutor of the Republic of North Macedonia shall be responsible for the general situation in relation to the organization and performance of the functions of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and for his or hers work and the work of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, he or she shall be held responsible before the Parliament. The Parliament, as the highest representative body of the citizens, is constitutionally authorized to appoint and dismiss the Chief Public Prosecutor of the Republic of North Macedonia.

On February 11, 2025, the government decided to initiate a procedure for the dismissal of the Chief Prosecutor, Ljupcho Kocevski.

“The Government is disappointed with actions outside its legal jurisdiction, while citizens are dissatisfaction with a non-functioning system, and the ongoing continuation of these conditions have resulted in a loss of trust and the malfunctioning of the state,” as stated by Government spokesperson Marija Miteva in a press conference.

“Initially, a discussion was launched over the latest index by Transparency International published today, which showed in detail that specifically four points refer to developments in the prosecution and the judiciary. Additionally, the latest appointment of acting head of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Skopje which is illegal, i.e., beyond the provisions of the Law on Public Prosecutor’s Office,” Miteva added, presenting what she said were the arguments behind the Government’s decision.

Kocevski’s term as Chief Prosecutor lasts for six years, and he was appointed a year ago. The Government seeks to prematurely end his mandate, citing disappointment over his actions beyond legal competencies, including unlawfully appointing an acting head of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office to replace the suspended Mustafa Hajrluhai.

Chief Prosecutor Kocevski denies the claim that the acted unlawfully, stating that he adhered to the law and its deadlines.

“I would like to make it clear that this is not the first time actions have been taken in this way, and the priority in this case was to appoint a head of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Skopje, who would ensure impartial, professional, and objective work until the completion of the disciplinary procedure for Prosecutor Hajrluhai. Let me clarify that this is not the appointment of an acting head of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office, but the selection of a temporary head for the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Skopje,” Kocevski said.

Photo: Ministry of Justice