VMRO-DPMNE asks Prosecutor's Office to summon Venko Filipche over €37m allegation

VMRO-DPMNE has urged the Public Prosecutor's Office to summon SDSM leader Venko Filipche for an informational interview over his claims about a alleged €37 million scandal tied to the period when Slavjanka Petrovska served as defence minister.

The ruling party said Filipche must either present any evidence he holds to prosecutors or explain why he did not report it earlier. "If he possessed such information, why did he not submit it to the competent institutions? Are these insights he had earlier, or did he only raise the issue after he began a political clash with Petrovska?" the party said in a statement.

VMRO-DPMNE also argued the allegations should not remain as mutual accusations between Filipche and members of the platform "Conversations for the Future 12:05." The party asked that any material evidence be handed to the Public Prosecutor's Office and warned of legal exposure under the Criminal Code.

"Filipche should know that failure to report a criminal offense or perpetrator is punishable under Article 364 of the Criminal Code (CC), including for anyone who knowingly fails to report a criminal offense," the party said.

What VMRO-DPMNE is asking for

In its appeal, VMRO-DPMNE said that because Filipche publicly accused former defence minister Slavjanka Petrovska of signing a contract for helicopters that was €37 million more expensive, the Prosecutor's Office should summon him to an informational interview and make public any relevant information he holds.

Filipche has repeatedly said he was quoting Defence Minister Vlado Misajlovski, claiming that after the defence ministry's procurement committee selected a cheaper bid, Petrovska signed a deal that increased the price by €37 million. Speaking on the Telma TV programme "Directno," Filipche said he cited Misajlovski and that the statement raises suspicions that Petrovska "might be shielding herself from something."

Photo: Printskrin