Skopje, 17 October 2024 (MIA) - Minister of Justice Igor Filkov said he stands behind his statement about the work of the former minister Krenar Lloga, regarding which he told a press conference on Wednesday that he had taken over the ministry without meeting with the former minister and with documents missing from the office. Filkov noted that further dialogue over the case will go through the competent authorities. 

"Everything I had to say about my predecessor's work I said at yesterday's press conference, and I stand behind it. I understand his agitation, but further dialogue will go through the competent authorities," the Minister said in response to a reporter's question after Thursday's opening of the office of the State Commission on Compensation for Victims of Violent Crimes at the Ministry of Justice.

Minister Filkov said on Wednesday that the document containing the recommendations of the EU peer review mission report was taken by his predecessor, noting that a probe is under way to determine accountability. Focusing on his first 100 days in office, Filkov said he had taken over the ministry without meeting with the former minister and with documents missing from the office. He said he inherited 956,000 denars in unpaid invoice after umbrellas, t-shirts, bags, mugs and other items, being purchased. Over 200 pieces by each product was bought and not paid.

In a Facebook post in response to Justice Minister Filkov, former Justice Minister Krenar Lloga said the EU peer review mission letter mentioned by his successor had been delivered electronically and some of it was classified. 

"That letter was archived by an employee at the Ministry that handles classified materials so, of course, Radica cannot access it without a security certificate. That same letter, with permission from the EU Mission, was shared with the working group, namely academic Vlado Kambovski," Lloga posted on Facebook.  

According to Lloga, Radica Lazareska Gerovska is in charge of the Ministry of Justice and Minister Filkov is only a signatory. Regarding the handover ceremony, Lloga said during that time he was on a family vacation, which was approved by the government.

The fleet management is the same one previous ministers used, he said, adding that the ministry had no unpaid debt. Regional free legal aid office staff remained unchanged for years, he said.

Photo: MIA