Pandov Criticises Idrizovo Head Andov over Prison’s Situation

At a press-conference on Monday, Directorate for Execution of Sanctions Acting Director Aleksandar Pandov, commenting on the Suto Orizari prison situation, alleged that the institution’s head, Filip Andov, would use verbal orders to ensure a transfer of prisoners to the open and semi-open ward in order for them to be able to leave whenever they want.

“Not even Pablo Escobar would leave prison like prisoners in our country do,” he stated.

Pandov also said he had notified PM Hristijan Mickoski of the prison’s situation, adding that the Prosecutor’s Office and police should open an investigation over Andov. Andov refuted the accusations.

Also on Monday, SDSM said that even though Pandov’s term had started at the beginning of July, he had signed off on prison furloughs for persons behind bars for the 27 April 2017 storming of Parliament.

“It’s true. I have also signed off on for other persons too because I don’t have the right not to allow treatment when findings by specialists show it is required,” Pandov stated.

The same day, the Stip prison said that five persons convicted in the case, ex-Interior Minister Mitko Cavkov, Jane Cento, Aleksandar Janevski, Oliver Popovski, and Mitko Pesev had that day been granted 30-day furlough.