Skopje, 12 February 2025 (MIA) - Chief Prosecutor Ljupcho Kocevski had a chance to show he is an uncompromising fighter for justice. It would be honest and virtuous for him to resign, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski told journalists Wednesday following the Government’s decision to initiate a dismissal procedure for the chief state prosecutor.

“I wouldn’t make any comments about him anymore. The Government was clear. He had ample chances to show he is an uncompromising fighter for justice and in those cases where there are founded suspicions that crimes have been committed, but evidently seeking excuses and buying time are someone’s character trait. So, I believe he had enough time, and he unfortunately didn’t justify that trust, so now the Government is launching a procedure. I was in Parliament today, that procedure began in Parliament, and it will conclude in Parliament. I think it would be honest and virtuous for him to resign, so we can shorten this period and elect a new chief prosecutor who will be an uncompromising fighter against crime and corruption in Macedonia,” Mickoski said.

On Tuesday, the Government decided to initiate a procedure for the dismissal of Chief Prosecutor Kocevski. At a press conference government spokesperson Marija Miteva highlighted “the Government’s disappointment with the actions taken beyond the legal competencies” and “the citizens’ disappointment with a system that doesn’t work” as some of the reasons for the decision.

“Initially, a discussion was launched over the latest index by Transparency International published today, which showed in detail that specifically four points refer to developments in the prosecution and the judiciary. Additionally, the latest appointment of acting head of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Skopje which is illegal, i.e., beyond the provisions of the Law on Public Prosecutor’s Office,” Miteva added, presenting what she said were the arguments behind the Government’s decision.

In a written response after the decision, Chief Prosecutor Kocevski said his actions have always been in line with the law.

Referring to the appointment at the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office, Kocevski said the action did not involve the appointment of an acting head of the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Skopje but its temporary administrator.

"My action in this case, as in all cases, is in line with the law, for the purpose of continued and lawful activities of the prosecutor's office and protection of the public interest," Kocevski said.

According to the Law on Public Prosecutor’s Office, the chief state prosecutor is elected and dismissed by Parliament. Parliament elects a candidate put forward by the Government from a list of names approved by the Council of Public Prosecutors.

The chief prosecutor’s term lasts six years. Chief Prosecutor Kocevski was elected to the post on February 13, 2024.