Prosecutor's Office: Searches at 32 Skopje sites, including MIA premises
Searches at homes, persons and official Ministry of Internal Affairs premises are being conducted over suspected forgery and illegal issuing of C/D driving licences.
The Public Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of North Macedonia announced that coordinated searches are under way at 32 locations across Skopje as part of an inquiry into suspected illegal issuance and forgery of driving licences for C and D categories.
"Based on orders of a judge in preliminary proceedings, obtained at the request of a public prosecutor from the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office Skopje, searches are being carried out today at 32 locations in Skopje, at persons, homes and official premises in the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA). Other actions are being taken to secure evidence due to suspicions of a criminal offense — forgery of documents under Article 378 of the Criminal Code," the Public Prosecutor's Office said.
Authorities confirm action, say more details will follow
The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) also confirmed that a new coordinated operation is in progress, prompted by suspicions of unlawful issuing and falsification of C- and D-category driving licences, which permit driving heavy goods vehicles and buses.
Officials said searches include private addresses and, notably, official premises inside the Ministry. Authorities are carrying out evidence-gathering measures and have not yet released further operational details, saying the public will be informed once the action is completed.
Unconfirmed media reports citing unnamed sources claim there have been arrests and that some of the persons involved are MIA employees, while others are drivers who allegedly used forged licences domestically and abroad. Prosecutors and police have not confirmed detentions.
The operation follows an internal probe by the MIA's Internal Control unit that was revealed last month into allegations that staff in administrative units added C or D categories to licences for people who never took the required exams. Media reports at the end of August said an unlawful addition of a C or D category was allegedly charged at €1,400.
On 27 August Minister Panche Toshkovski, speaking on television, confirmed the police were following concrete leads and said: "Anyone who abused the trust of Macedonian citizens and tarnished the reputation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) will be strictly sanctioned."
Photo: press material from the event
