Skopje, 7 September 2023 (MIA) – President Stevo Pendarovski signed the Decree on the Law amending and supplementing the Criminal Code on Thursday, said the President’s Office in a press release.

“The amendments of the Criminal Code, adopted by Parliament, do not mean an amnesty for crimes committed while holding an official position. On the contrary, sanctions are still foreseen for the perpetrators of these acts, with the amendments emphasizing the so-called extended confiscation of property. In that section, the amendments to the Code are aligned with the European Directive on the freezing and confiscation of instrumentalities and proceeds of crime, which apart from imprisonment, places the focus on the confiscation of proceeds from the perpetrators of the crimes,” said the press release.

According to his Office, President Pendarovski expects the measure of extended confiscation of property to be practiced more often, and in all cases where abuse of office has been identified.

Parliament adopted the amendments to the Criminal Code on Wednesday, with 48 votes in favor, 36 votes against and one abstention. 

The amendments caused reactions in the public because they refer to articles which “soften” the sanctions which concern officials and heads of public enterprises and institutions. 

According to the Government, which flagged the amendments with the EU flag, the amendments are being adopted in order to harmonize with the EU directives. While, according to the opposition, the amendments are an attempted “amnesty” for current officials ahead of a potential change in government. The EU Delegation in Skopje is assessing if the EU flag was misused. 

Photo: MIA Archive