Defendants in « Additive » do not feel guilty, the prosecution claims there is solid evidence
At today’s trial in the « Adiv » case, all defendants said they did not feel guilty, while the prosecution said there was solid evidence and would prove the blame. In the opening word of the trial held in the digital courtroom at the Idrizovo Prosecutor’s Office, the prosecution emphasized that besides the blame for crimes, they will also prove the institutional decay in AD ESM.
-In addition to proving the crimes, we will prove both moral and institutional decay in AD ESM at a time when the defendants managed the legal entity. In front of us there is an organized and criminal association to which the state entrusted the production of electricity. Instead of fulfilling their duty honestly and to pay back to the state that gave them confidence to manage, they chose to abuse. This is a blow to the citizen who with every paid account believes that the electricity generation system works – said prosecutor Natasha Pop Trajkova.
He added that it would also be proven that the announced additive also caused harmful effects on the health of the citizens.
-We will prove that the public interest was consciously neglected, and the supplied additive also caused harmful effects on the health of the citizens. The procurement of additive was not intended to provide conditions, but to gain illegal property benefits – she added.
The « Additive » case refers to an investigation into the abuse of public procurement and money laundering regarding the procurement of coal additives for the needs of AD ESM – subsidiary REK Bitola and REK Oslomej.
More than 30 individuals and five legal entities are accused, including senior energy sector officials. Defendants in the case are Vasko Kovacevski, Vasko Stefanov, Maja Jordanova, Adrian Muca, Danco Stojanovski, Nebojsa Stojanovic, Pec Matevski, Milica Stojanovic, Peco Stojanovski, Mirko Stojanovic, Ranko Stojanovic, Dragan Micevski, Stojan Mickoski, Nedzbudin Nuredini, Dragan Jakaroski, Diana Saveska, Vlatko Aleksovski, Aleksandra Stojanovska, Igor Aleksovski, Velimir Aleksovski, Suzana Aleksovska, Tosho Mateki, Zlatko Trpeski, Vasko Trpeski.
The defendant Kovacevski will be tried in absentia because he is unavailable to the prosecution organs. While for the defendant Sasa Krstevski, the court today ruled that the procedure should be conducted separately for health reasons.
Five legal entities are also charged, including « Ham Alliance DOOEL Negotino », « Dadi Trade DOOEL Veles », « Counterxy Company » and Dental Office from Veles. Their representatives also stated today that legal entities have no guilt.
The next hearing is scheduled for June 26 at 9.30am. The process is led by Judge Daniela Dimovska.
