SDSM to Public Prosecutor Saveski: Open probe into Alta Bank entry or we will file criminal charges

The opposition Social Democratic Union (SDSM) urged the Public Prosecutor's Office and its head, State Public Prosecutor Nenad Saveski, to immediately open an investigation into the entry of Serbia's Alta Bank into the North Macedonian market, warning that it will file criminal charges if prosecutors do not act.

Party accuses prime minister and central bank governor of political influence

At a press briefing SDSM spokesperson and Executive Board member Bogdanka Kuzeska said the prosecutor's office's silence deepens public distrust in judicial institutions and raises the suspicion that Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski is being protected. Kuzeska added that the delay creates space for Mickoski and Central Bank Governor Trajko Slaveski "to cover up the matter," destroy evidence and prevent discovery of Alta Bank's accounts and transactions.

"Let Saveski not wait for a call from Mickoski. Let him refuse the calls and act. The Public Prosecutor's Office has an obligation to the citizens. We demand that all circumstances surrounding Alta Bank's entry into North Macedonia be examined immediately. The role of Mickoski. Slaveski's conduct. Kocoska's proposal. Government conclusions. The origin and flow of the money. All those involved must be held accountable. If the Public Prosecutor's Office fails to act, SDSM will file criminal charges regarding Alta Bank. We remind Saveski that the public prosecutor must be independent and must operate according to the Constitution and laws. That by taking the oath he gave his word to the people," Kuzeska said.

Kuzeska used the metaphor "the clock is ticking," calling on Saveski to distance himself from Mickoski and begin doing his job, warning that otherwise he risks the same fate as his counterparts in Serbia where arrests related to the case have been announced. "Saveski, the clock is ticking. Act now! There will be accountability!" she added.

SDSM asked the Public Prosecutor's Office to probe the roles of Mickoski, Central Bank Governor Trajko Slaveski and Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska-Kocoska in the bank's market entry, and to establish the origin and the movement of funds linked to Alta Bank. Kuzeska recalled that SDSM had publicly warned in December last year that Alta Bank was connected to former Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić, his SNS party and VMRO-DPMNE, and that it had questionable capital, yet Slaveski and Mickoski decided to allow its entry.

She also referenced the Alta Group's 2024 sanction by Austria's Financial Market Authority (FMA) and pointed to Alta Bank owner Davor Macura, described in SDSM statements as "Vučić's banker who became Mickoski's banker," noting that Macura is in custody in Serbia and that the bank there is in bankruptcy while an investigation has been opened. Kuzeska said the Government of Hristijan Mickoski issued conclusions that enabled Macura to increase his stake at the expense of the state and that he was also allowed to acquire an insurance company.

Responding to journalists last week, State Public Prosecutor Nenad Saveski said it was still too early to say whether the institution he leads is conducting investigative actions in connection with Alta Bank. He said the Public Prosecutor's Office is carefully monitoring the situation and that if elements indicating a criminal offense are detected, it will react. "As with every situation that arouses particular public interest, this situation is being observed by the Public Prosecutor's Office and if we detect that it concerns something related to a criminal-legal event we have no other choice but to react. However, I cannot answer you concretely at this moment because it is early," he said on Thursday, 5 November.

Photo: SDSM