Financial Police opens probe into possible entry of suspicious capital into North Macedonia's media

The Financial Police Administration has opened a case to examine allegations that suspicious capital may be entering North Macedonia's media sector, the agency said in a statement relayed by several outlets.

According to the statement, the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services (AAVMU), acting on institutional procedures, has halted the process to change the ownership structure of one television broadcaster and one radio station while authorities carry out checks.

Political accusations and demands for checks

The announcement from the Financial Police follows public calls from the opposition Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM). SDSM spokesperson Bogdanka Kuzeska urged institutions to investigate suspicions about what she described as the entry of a Serbian media network into the country and related transactions.

In its message the Financial Police said: "In relation to the allegations made by SDSM about the alleged entry of suspicious capital and the purchase of a television, we inform the public that the Financial Police Administration is handling a case and is examining all indications and information that were presented in public, and the AAVMU, based on the actions of the institutions, has halted the procedure for change of ownership structure of one television and a radio. The institutions, within their legal competences, are undertaking the necessary actions to establish all relevant facts and circumstances."

The Financial Police also appealed to the public and to political actors not to spread speculation or unverified information, stressing that competent bodies are acting professionally and in accordance with the law to protect the public interest.

SDSM has accused certain channels of operating for an extended period without domestic licences and named planned moves involving "Euronews Macedonia" and the Serbian media group "Alo". Members of the party also said that the entry of the Serbian Alta Bank into North Macedonia creates mechanisms that could redirect state funds to a bank allegedly associated with media financing and influence. SDSM requested checks into the origin and movement of funds and possible links to media investments.

So far, authorities have not released further details about the police case: the opening date of the file is unknown, and AAVMU has not disclosed which television and radio are covered by the halted procedure. Yesterday, five broadcasters that belong to the Macedonian Media Association and the public broadcaster MRT claimed that channels Arena M1, M2 and M3 Premium operate without necessary domestic licences. AAVMU rejected those claims, saying the channels are treated as foreign programme services because their originating signal is not transmitted from the territory of North Macedonia.

Photo: Arhiva