Skopje, 29 December 2023 (MIA) - Minister of Interior Oliver Spasovski told an end-of-the-year press briefing that crime rates have dropped by 8 percent, saying 13 criminal organizations with over 100 members have been thwarted in 2023.

"Statistics shows there is continuity in the downward trends and the annual average points to an 8-percent drop in crime, with a police efficiency of about 60 percent. Thirteen criminal organizations of more than 100 members have been thwarted for illicit trafficking in drugs, arms, migrants, cultural heritage, but also abuse of office. In the field of corruption prevention, we detected about 120 crimes 'worth' Mden 350 million (EUR 6 million)," said Minister Spasovski.

He also referred to the 50th Interpol European Regional Conference and the OSCE Ministerial Council as major events for the Ministry of Interior in 2023. 

In addition, Spasovski highlighted the energy-efficient rehabilitation of 80 police facilities through an EUR 17 million investment, along with the new ICT Center in Prilep and the state-of-the-art Forensic Laboratory in Skopje.

Photo: MIA