Criminal charges have been filed against a former director, deputy director, and several employees of the Food and Veterinary Agency (FVA) in Skopje for alleged embezzlement. The Skopje Public Prosecutor’s Office received the charges from the Skopje Police Department.

Z.A., the former director, is accused of “embezzlement in the service.” F.M., the former deputy director, along with employees L.U., A.R., E.T., A.B., and A.B., are suspected of “aiding and abetting” the embezzlement.

The alleged offenses occurred between 2017 and 2020. Z.A. is accused of illegally obtaining funds through inflated per diems for official trips abroad. He allegedly received 50% per diems instead of the legally mandated 20%, as the agency covered accommodation and food costs.

F.M. allegedly aided Z.A. by signing off on travel decisions that approved the inflated payments. L.A., A.R., and E.T. are accused of preparing these decisions. A.B. and A.B. then allegedly approved the payment of funds, despite knowing the decisions violated regulations. These actions allegedly resulted in Z.A. acquiring 62,530 denars illegally, to the detriment of the Food and Veterinary Agency’s budget.