Skopje, 16 October 2024 (MIA) — In response to a press conference Justice Minister Igor Filkov held earlier on Wednesday, former Justice Minister Krener 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 wrote in a Facebook post in response to Justice Minister Filkov.

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.

"I got back two days after his election, on the 26th. I called and sent several text messages to Filkov, and then tried to reach him through the Office. I was told he would contact me, but, unfortunately for him, he has been locked in his office by his chief of staff, who does not allow him to communicate. It's tragicomic that he still keeps quiet. He holds no opinions on important topics, but keeps repeating the tired sentence 'the PM and international allies are both right' while hiding from the public and waiting for a written response from Mrs. Radica," Lloga said.

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.

"I will hold a public appearance and briefing with journalists to address these claims and the Justice Minister's first 100 days in office. I invite Minister Filkov to a public debate, either one-on-one, or accompanied by Mrs. Radica," Lloga said.

During his press conference, Justice Minister Filkov said the EU peer review mission report recommendations were taken by his predecessor, noting that a probe was launched to determine accountability. 

He said he had taken over the ministry without a handover ceremony and proper paperwork, welcomed to an empty office, inheriting a Mden 956,000 of unpaid invoices for over 200 umbrellas, 200 t-shirts, 200 bags, 200 mugs and other items. ssh/mr