Kuqi Returns to North Macedonia, Measures of Precaution Sought

The Ambassador to Norway, Driton Kuqi, who, in the capacity of ex-Economy Minister, has been named a suspect in the Kocani fire case, has returned to North Macedonia.

The Kocani Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office has sought measures of precaution against him too. Since Sunday, the Minister without Portfolio Shaban Saliu, in the capacity of ex-head of the Protection and Rescue Directorate, has been in detention, while two other ex-Economy Ministers, Bekim Neziri and Valon Saracini, have been under house arrest.

Interior Minister Pance Toskovski stated on Monday that everyone against whom there was evidence had been charged. He also stated that nobody was being spared.

However, SDSM said that the investigation had been turned into a farce, asking why no current police heads were being investigated considering the Interior Ministry and its current management were responsible for oversights.

The same day, Levica filed a no-confidence motion against Toskovski based on 10 grounds, five of which are directly related to the Kocani fire.