Trial over sports-voucher abuses resumes; prosecutor questions defence witnesses

The trial over alleged abuses in the distribution of sports vouchers resumed with testimony from defence witnesses, court proceedings showed. Among those who took the stand were three advisers to the sports council, former directors of the Agency for Youth and Sport Naumche Mojsoski and Darko Kaevski, and Daniel Dimevski, the head of the Macedonian Olympic Committee, together with nine other defendants linked to the case.

Prosecutor challenges credibility

Prosecutor Lidija Raichevic, who is leading the prosecution in the case, raised concerns about the value of the defence witnesses’ testimony and questioned their credibility to explain how the voucher-allocation process was carried out.

Defence lawyers presented the witnesses as part of their effort to counter the accusations against their clients, which allege irregularities in the way sports vouchers were awarded. The list of defence witnesses included officials who were directly involved in sports administration during the period under investigation.

Courtroom exchanges focused on the scope of the witnesses’ knowledge of administrative procedures and on whether their statements could clarify or contradict the prosecution’s portrayal of events. The hearing continued with procedural inquiries and plans for further testimony.

No verdict was announced; the trial will continue on the court’s next scheduled date as both sides prepare additional evidence and witnesses.

Photo: press material from the event