VMRO-DPMNE MP Dafina Stojanoska accused the head of the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime and Corruption (PPO OCC) Islam Abazi of political influence and halting the “Mazut” case, worth EUR 167 million.
According to Stojanoska, the decision to stop the procedure is “proof of the great influence” that, according to the MP, Ali Ahmeti, Venko Filipche and Zoran Zaev have on the prosecution and the judiciary.
“Just a year ago, the PPO led by Islam Abazi requested detention for four suspects in this case, because it believed that the suspects could flee or influence witnesses in the procedure, and today – a year later, those same prosecutors decide that there is no basis to continue this case,” Stojanoska told a press briefing.
The ruling party MP assessed that this was a “contradiction which was the result of lucrative political grounds, and not legal or prosecutorial arguments”.
Stojanoska accused that in the case the public saw money laundering, crime and environmental poisoning, adding that Abazi was the only one that saw nothing,
The MP also called on prosecutor Katerina Kolarevikj to explain “how she determined that there was no damage in the case worth EUR 167 million”, pointing out that there were financial and environmental consequences.
MP Stojanoska also directed direct criticism at Abazi.
“Until when does Islam Abazi, who was hired by Ahmeti, Filipche and Zaev, plan to be the executioner of justice and deliver for this criminal trio?”, Stojanoska asked.
“As long as the judiciary in Macedonia is led by figures like Islam Abazi, such controversial decisions in favor of SDS and DUI will dominate,” said Stojanoska, adding that Abazi should immediately resign and leave the prosecution in the hands of professionals.
