Former Tutunski Kombinat official and associates charged over alleged illegal sale of scrap
Police say former company officials and an outside firm are suspected of hiding and selling scrap iron in 2022, causing more than 3.3 million denars in losses.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has filed criminal charges against three individuals and one legal entity from Prilep, including a former director of AD Tutunski Kombinat — Prilep, over an alleged scheme to sell company waste illegally that damaged the company's budget by 3,338,328 denars (53,687 euros).
Authorities say the suspects face accusations that include embezzlement in office, abuse of official position and authorisation, forging official documents and concealing evidence.
In its statement the ministry says the case concerns activities in 2021–2022 and the first quarter of 2022, when Lj.B. — who worked as a coordinator of the security group at AD Tutunski Kombinat — and others allegedly diverted responsibilities and arranged sales of scrap without following internal procedures. The statement adds that K.S., then the company’s general executive director, approved that Lj.B. carry out scrap sales instead of the official waste manager, and that J.D. is the owner-manager of the legal entity contracted to buy and sell waste materials.
Investigators allege that in February 2022 Lj.B., with help from J.D., hid at least 185,000 kilograms of scrap iron from the Zavodi–Mazhuchishte production unit and did not record it on the company’s account; the material was handed over and purchased by a firm from the village of Malo Konjari at a price 2 denars per kilogram higher.
According to the police, fictitious purchase receipts were issued by the buyer in the names of eight individuals (close to Lj.B.), each averaging about 25,000 kilograms, and the funds were transferred to the bank accounts of seven private persons and to the personal account of Lj.B. After the transfers, the money was withdrawn in cash and handed over to Lj.B. The total amount transferred to the accounts was 3,338,328 denars (53,687 euros), which is the sum the company is said to have lost. Separately, AD Tutunski Kombinat received payments totalling 1,274,560 denars (about 20,500 euros) from the buyer for the sold scrap iron.
Police have lodged the charges and the case will proceed through the criminal justice system; authorities did not report any court verdicts at this stage.
Photo: ilustracija / Sloboden pechat / Dragan Mitreski
