Financial forensic analysis and document cross-checking begin in Gostivar pump investigation

The Public Prosecutor's Office in Gostivar has requested extensive documentation as part of the investigation into the installed and contested water pumps. Among the requested documents are the financial ledgers of the Municipality of Gostivar, the tenders for the procurement of chlorine and other materials published before the public became aware of the outbreak, the orders and correspondence between the Municipality and Public Enterprise Komunalec Gostivar, as well as reports from the Public Health Center Tetovo, especially those from June 29 and July 13.

Financial forensic analysis and cross-checking of documents will be carried out

The investigation is also seeking documentation from Gostivar Hospital (Dr. Ferid Murad) and other local institutions; a financial forensic analysis has been announced, and the municipality's data will be cross-checked with records from the water utility, the Public Health Center Tetovo and the reports that were submitted to the Institute of Public Health (IPH).

One source from the investigation says: "Orders have been issued for extensive documentation from the Municipality of Gostivar, PE Komunalec of Gostivar, Gostivar Hospital Dr. Ferid Murad, as well as from the Public Health Center Tetovo. Part of the focus is on the financial reports and tenders, the other on the orders and decisions for installing the water pumps, which are also being forensically examined." Some of the requested documents have already arrived at the prosecutor's office, while others are still awaited and are under review.

Results from nine water samples have been submitted to the prosecutor's office; of these, only one sample from a tap was clean. The Minister of Health, Sasho Klekovski, said in an interview that any possible attempt to cover up the case will be investigated.

Separately, an independent investigation is underway into the death of an employee of the Gostivar water utility, who died in a canal ten days before the controversial pumps were put into operation. The official autopsy finding is awaited, and the prosecutor's office currently lists the cause of death as a heart attack.

So far three people are in custody in connection with the case: Artana Asani, Leon Uredini and Vadedin Dervishi, who hold managerial positions at the public enterprise Komunalec and have been detained for 30 days. The Public Prosecutor's Office in Gostivar warns that the investigation may be expanded to other persons if additional evidence is found.

Photo: press material from the event