Criminal charges have been filed against 49 individuals, with 23 detained and one person being sought, in connection with two criminal groups that allegedly committed abuses in the procedures for acquiring the right to assistance and care by another person and the right to disability pensions. The Ministry of the Interior announced the details of the operation following a months-long preliminary investigation conducted by the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office for the Prosecution of Organized Crime and Corruption.

The police operation involved searches at multiple locations in Skopje, Veles, Tetovo, and Gostivar.

During 2023, a former employee of a university clinic, along with two other suspects, allegedly formed a criminal association to commit offenses including abuse of official position and authority, accepting bribes, giving bribes, accepting rewards for illegal influence, and giving rewards for illegal influence. Nine additional suspects later joined the group, including specialist doctors who served as presidents of the Expert Commission for issuing findings, assessments, and opinions on the need for assistance and care within the PHI General Hospital Veles. Other members included specialist doctors employed at various medical facilities, a lawyer, and an official at the PU Center for Social Work – Tetovo.

The criminal group allegedly demanded and received bribes from individuals applying for social assistance, ensuring that applicants met the necessary conditions for obtaining the right to assistance and care through illegal actions, including bribing officials and providing false medical documentation. They allegedly registered bribe-paying applicants with general practitioners in Veles to involve the Expert Commission at PHI “General Hospital Veles,” whose members were part of the group. Fictitious medical examinations were conducted without the presence of the applicants.

The suspects allegedly circumvented the Law on Social Protection by preparing and using medical documentation with false content, such as medical referrals, discharge letters, medical reports, and specialist opinions. They also allegedly influenced procedures and decisions in favor of applicants outside their place of residence, despite the legal jurisdiction of Centers for Social Work based on the applicant’s residence.

In a parallel scheme during the same period, an employee of the University Clinic for Ear, Nose and Throat Skopje, who was also a member of the Commission for Revision of Findings, Assessments and Opinions for Determining Disability at the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth, allegedly formed another criminal association with the first suspect and two others. This group aimed to commit similar offenses, with 12 additional suspects joining, including three who were also members of the first group.

This second group allegedly demanded and received bribes from individuals applying for disability pensions, using a similar modus operandi as the first group. The suspects ensured that applicants met the conditions for acquiring the right to a disability pension, with members of the criminal group, who were also members of the Commissions, allegedly exploiting their influence and official position to facilitate the process.

The remaining suspects face charges for criminal offenses such as abuse of official position and authority, giving rewards for illegal influence, and giving bribes.

The suspects were brought before a judge in a preliminary procedure at the Basic Criminal Court. The Prosecutor’s Office proposed detention measures for 12 suspects, house arrest for three, and precautionary measures for the remaining individuals.