Skopje, 22 June 2023 (MIA) – Merko’s case is not surprising at all, but it is surprising that our institutions are now once again stirred only when someone from abroad points to certain situations that we have already identified, said Vladimir Georgiev, member of the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (SCPC), regarding the “blacklisting” of Struga Mayor Ramiz Merko by the U.S. Department of State.

In answer to a journalist’s question on the case, Georgiev said this is not the first time that someone from abroad points to certain cases or individuals, like with the State Department’s decision to “blacklist” the current Struga Mayor.

Georgiev said the SCPC will hold a press conference Friday on Ramiz Merko, adding that “as early as 2019, the Commission identified a series of abuses he committed in his role as mayor.”

“Our assertions were supported by reports from the State Audit Office, however, no action was taken,” said Georgiev.

Georgiev added that in the assessment of the opinions of judges and prosecutors regarding corruption in the judiciary, which the SCPC drafted with OSCE, one of the main indicators showed that the judiciary is under the influence of the executive branch, and of higher judges and heads of courts.

Photo: MIA