SDSM: DKSK file on possible conflict of interest for one person is not a probe into €5.5m embezzlement

The Social Democratic Union (SDSM) says the file opened by the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption (DKSK) into a possible conflict of interest involving one individual should not be presented as a probe into an alleged embezzlement of €5.5 million linked to the anniversary celebration.

SDSM insisted the conflict-of-interest inquiry — which concerns a member of the commission who approved the programme and later appeared as a performer during the José Carreras appearance — is only one part of the case. The party urged the public prosecutor’s office to open a criminal inquiry, secure all documents, follow the money and determine how procurement and payment decisions were made.

Key unanswered questions, SDSM says

In its statement the party listed a series of questions it says remain unanswered: where is the shareholders’ decision of the Lottery that should exist by law; which body approved spending of over 300 million denars; on what session was that decision taken and who voted for it; how could a public call last only five working days and receive a single bid while, three days later, David Guetta’s appearance was already announced; how much was paid to Guetta, when and to whom the deal was agreed and paid; how much did “Stardast” and “Avalon” earn and how were payments made while a company account was blocked; was tax paid at all; and where did roughly 1.75 million denars from ticket sales go and whether tax was paid on those revenues.

SDSM also attacked Hristijan Mickoski by name in its release: “The Mickoski gang lied that the celebration cost ‘zero denars’. The public learned that €5.5 million were spent. Then silence — documents, contracts, annexes, payments, invoices are hidden. Even whether tax was paid is being concealed. That is how an organised criminal group operates — hiding so that commissions, shady deals and abuses are not revealed. Citizens paid Mickoski’s bill and have the right to know where every denar ended up,” the party said.

The party called on the prosecution to immediately open proceedings, to secure full documentation and to trace the funds.

DKSK has confirmed it opened a file only on a possible conflict of interest involving one person: composer and producer Nikolche Micevski, who according to reports chaired the external commission that selected the sole bid from the company that organised the celebration and later participated as a performer. DKSK president Adem Chuchulj told media the commission monitors the case within its preventive mandate and that, so far, only a case regarding a potential conflict of interest for that member has been opened.

Photo: press material from the event