Borche Markoski pleads not guilty; REK Bitola representative to testify on 4 December 2026

Borche Markoski, a businessman from Bitola, and seven other defendants have pleaded not guilty in the criminal case linked to alleged abuses at REK Bitola. The trial in the Basic Court – Struga opened later this year; of three originally scheduled hearings only one has so far taken place.

Next hearing set for 4 December 2026, REK Bitola representative expected to testify

The proceedings are being held in Struga after the Bitola prosecution filed the indictment on 2 January this year against eight individuals and the company Markoski Companies. Prosecutors say five directors and managers at REK Bitola abused their official positions during 2023. The indictment also alleges that Markoski Companies was awarded a rigged tender worth €1.5 million for the relocation of power units from the Oslomej mine.

According to the Basic Court – Struga, only the hearing on 2 September was held; at that session all defendants entered pleas of not guilty. Earlier hearings were postponed: the first set for June was delayed after one of the accused changed lawyers, while the hearing scheduled for 22 October was postponed because the file was at the Bitola Appellate Court. The court says the presentation of oral evidence was adjourned and rescheduled.

Basic Court – Struga: "At the hearing held, after opening statements, the debate was adjourned due to the presentation of oral evidence, and with regard to guilt the accused stated they do not feel guilty. The procedure for presenting oral evidence was adjourned and rescheduled for 04.12.2026 when it is planned to continue and a representative of the damaged legal entity REK Bitola will be called to testify."

The indictment, brought by the Bitola prosecutor's office, accuses Markoski and employees of his company of "abuse of procedure for public call or public–private partnership." The case was transferred to Struga under delegated jurisdiction. Telma requested to review the indictment but had not received it at the time of reporting.

The Public Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of North Macedonia provided a statement on procedural questions: "The indictment is represented by the Public Prosecutor's Office – Struga. All possible statements are submitted by the public prosecution to the competent court. For all information regarding the judicial procedure, we refer you to the competent courts which have records of the held hearings and the reasons for any postponement."

Separately, on 7 October prosecutors opened proceedings against Peco Vezirovski for the criminal offence "receiving a reward for unlawful influence." Suspicions concerned improper influence on judges and prosecutors in four cases, but not in the Markoski case.

Photo: press material from the event