Shaban Saliu named national coordinator despite being accused in the 'Pulse' case
One week after his removal as minister without portfolio, Saliu announced on Facebook on 22 July that the Government named him national coordinator for the Roma inclusion strategy 2022–2030.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski’s government has assigned Shaban Saliu a new post despite Saliu being among the defendants in the high-profile Kočani "Pulse" nightclub case. One week after he was removed as minister without portfolio, Saliu announced on his Facebook page on 22 July that the cabinet had named him National Coordinator for monitoring the Strategy for Inclusion of Roma 2022–2030.
"I inform you with great honour and a sense of responsibility that the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, led by its president Prof. Dr. Hristijan Mickoski, at yesterday's 195th session, appointed me as National Coordinator for monitoring the Strategy for Inclusion of Roma 2022–2030. We continue coordinating the National Coordinative Body for monitoring the implementation of the Strategy for Inclusion of Roma 2022-2030, and with the fight for better education, higher-quality healthcare, greater employment, better living conditions and equal opportunities for every citizen. Only through joint work, dialogue and concrete results can we build a more inclusive and fairer society. This appointment represents an even greater obligation for me to continue working devotedly to advance rights, equal opportunities and the full inclusion of the Roma community in all spheres of society. I thank the Government for the trust shown. I will justify it with honest, responsible and transparent work, always in the interest of the Roma. Together we move forward!" — he wrote on Facebook.
Accusations, institutional record and the court file
Saliu sits on the indictment in the large criminal case into the Kočani "Pulse" tragedy. He is one of the former directors of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue who led the institution from 2012 to 2017; the directorate did not carry out any inspections in the illegal nightclub that later became the scene of the disaster.
He has not been finally convicted. During court proceedings, when prosecutors presented neighbourhood inspection plans, annual programmes and official Directorate for Protection and Rescue documents bearing the name and signature of Shaban Saliu, he maintained that the signature was not his.
National coordinators are paid from the state budget: publicly available data indicate monthly earnings between about 100,000 and 125,000 denars depending on the applied coefficient and length of service. The appointment comes amid a wider government reshuffle: parliament dismissed eight ministers, and Stoilković received the most votes to be removed. After the reconstruction, former culture minister Zoran Ljutkov received a new post, while former deputy prime minister Arben Fetai was named special envoy to the European Union.
Prime Minister Mickoski has previously referenced Saliu when asked in a television interview whether the Prosecutor’s Office has full freedom to pursue current officials, citing the example of Saliu — who, as a sitting member of government, was placed in pre-trial detention.
Photo: Fejsbuk
