Skopje, 25 August 2025 (MIA) — As a result of a two-year preliminary investigation conducted by the Primary Public Prosecutor's Office for the Prosecution of Organized Crime and Corruption and the Financial Police Office, seven of 13 suspects were apprehended Monday and charged with tax evasion, tax fraud and money laundering.

According to the PPO in a press release, the 13 suspects, including four Kosovo citizens and one citizen of Croatia, have been accused of creating and running a criminal group that siphoned "a large sum" of tax money from the national budget from 2014 to 2023.

"The group created a network of legal entities selling and fictitiously trading in oil derivatives and issuing false invoices to avoid paying taxes and to receive illegal VAT refunds," the release said.

The foreign citizens, who held executive posts in the companies under investigation, did not have work permits or permanent residency in the country, according to the PPO.

The Skopje Criminal Court has ruled to keep the seven apprehended suspects in custody for 30 days. The remaining five foreign citizens and one Macedonian citizen would be ordered arrested in absentia, the PPO said. mr/