Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski suspects that people from EVN and Macedonian Railways were involved in the robbery of the electric traction substation in Drachevo.
“I am sure, but of course I am not leading the investigation, but the Ministry of Interior, but I am convinced that without people from EVN and without internal people from Macedonian Railways this could not have been done and the investigation will probably confirm this,”said Nikoloski in an interview with TV Telma.
The minister described the case as a movie-like robbery. According to Nikoloski, the manner in which the theft was carried out raises suspicions that the perpetrators had specific knowledge.
The thieves managed to overturn 2 power transformers, each weighing more than 30 tons. Transformer oil was spilled from them.
The copper coils and other valuable components were then removed. According to Nikoloski, the entire operation was carried out in just one night. Such an undertaking, he pointed out, required mechanization and high expertise. The work with high voltage was particularly sensitive.
The traction substation in Drachevo is owned by Macedonian Railways – Infrastructure. The initial estimate of the material damage is approx. EUR 5 million.
