Skopje, 25 February 2025 (MIA) - The motion for the dismissal of the Chief Prosecutor, Ljupcho Kocevski, is expected to be adopted at government session on Tuesday. As Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski stated yesterday, the procedure may take several weeks or months, in accordance with the law.

Responding to journalists' questions at Monday’s press conference about whether the motion for Kocevski’s dismissal would be reviewed and accepted at Tuesday’s government session, he said that the government cannot dismiss him but can only initiate the procedure.

"We, as the government, absolutely cannot dismiss him, but we can initiate the procedure. As far as I know, a letter must be sent to the Council of Public Prosecutors, and then we have to wait for their opinion within 15 days. This process will take time, it won’t be completed immediately. That’s what the law states," Mickoski said.

Over the weekend, the Prime Minister also addressed the procedure for the dismissal of Ljupcho Kocevski, while also responding to a question about the vote of no-confidence motion against the Judicial Council members, emphasizing that both processes are moving forward in parallel and that the procedure has been initiated and will not be stopped.

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," read the Ministry of Justice press release.

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

The Chief Prosecutor's term is six years, with Kocevski elected to the post in February 2024.

Photo: MIA archive