“Racket” case – Shekerinska: No political protection

“This country has changed and when there’s crime, the institutions take action. The moment certain information came out, it was the prime minister who reported to the competent authorities,” Shekerinska said in response to a reporter’s question about the Racket case and President Pendarovski’s call for action.

“We’ve shown we’re not protecting anyone, but we’ve made it possible and we’ll keep making it possible for institutions to carry out a full investigation without protecting anyone,” she continued.

Asked about calls for political accountability, Shekerinska noted this shouldn’t be identified with the government only, as this institution wasn’t the only politically accountable one, but everyone that had been involved and allowed such crime would be held accountable.

Regarding the army’s and the country’s vulnerability to cybercrime, the Defense Minister said cybercrime was not a threat to North Macedonia only, but weaknesses in terms of new cyberthreats were seen in all other countries.

“When it became apparent that there was a chance to receive NATO invitation, I warned then and I also warn now that there are many people both in the country as well as out of it who believe they must do everything they can for our country not to join NATO or start EU accession negotiations. It’s our strategic interest not to let them succeed.

“Therefore, we need strong institutions, we need politicians who won’t compromise the rule of law,” Shekerinska noted. “There will be attacks, but we’ll show that our institutions and our country are strong and will withstand such attacks.”

Asked if it was possible for the Racket case to affect negotiations with the opposition, especially regarding the opposition’s demand for snap elections, DM Shekerinska said negotiations with the opposition over the public prosecution law, which is of vital importance, had already been taking place far too long and called on the opposition to demonstrate responsibility.

“Anyone interested to help shed light on the case, hold accountable all those who have broken the law or been involved in crime and corruption should demonstrate support in the most clear and visible way, i.e. by supporting a law that would help form a prosecutor’s office to fight not only against crime but high-level corruption,” said Shekerinska.