Skopje, 7 April 2023 (MIA) — Documents are being collected for the Bechtel and Enka case, with institutions expected to release other information as well, State Public Prosecutor Ljubomir Joveski said in a TV appearance Friday while declining to disclose any details about the probe.

In an interview with Telma TV, Joveski said media stories and opinion pieces were not enough for the Prosecutor's Office to immediately launch an investigation. Suspicions needed to be stronger than that to merit an investigation based on an allegation, he said.

"Documentation is being requested from competent institutions," he said, adding that the prosecution had started its investigation following allegations concerning the highway supervision tender bids. He pointed out, however, that no further details could be given at this stage.

Asked about the Passports case, Joveski said prosecutors were cooperating with state authorities. Evidence suggested a level of wrongdoing, he said.

"You have to accept that this is a complex case. Some evidence points to abuse of procedures. A great deal of evidence needs to be released with international legal assistance and in cooperation with other countries' authorities.

"As soon as the public prosecutor gathers enough evidence, an investigation will be launched into specific persons. In this specific case, I cannot say when that will be because we are expecting the cooperation of several foreign institutions," Joveski said. mr/