Government driver arrested, suspected of asking for 1,500 euros to hire a firefighter

The Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office for the Prosecution of Organized Crime and Corruption has launched an investigation against an employee of the Government’s Service for General and Common Affairs on suspicion of the criminal offense of “Accepting a reward for unlawful influence.”

According to the prosecution’s suspicions, the individual in question, who worked as the driver of a senior government official, asked a citizen for 1,500 euros between July 24 and September 4 of this year. The money was allegedly to be used in exchange for his intervention with officials of the City of Skopje to secure employment through a recruitment competition for firefighters.

The report was filed by the injured citizen. Following the notification, the Anti-Corruption Unit within the Public Security Bureau, in cooperation with the competent public prosecutor, carried out the necessary actions to gather evidence.

On September 4, 2026, the suspect was arrested in flagrante delicto while receiving 500 euros, part of the total amount of 1,500 euros. The prosecution said the money had been marked in advance.

The prosecution requested detention for the suspect due to the risk of flight, the possibility of influencing witnesses and the risk of repeating the criminal offense. The preliminary proceedings judge approved the request and ordered 30 days of detention.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs had earlier announced that D.C., employed as a driver in the Service for General and Common Affairs at the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, had been detained after being caught accepting pre-marked money.

The prosecution considers the timely reporting of corruption cases and citizens’ cooperation with institutions to be of particular importance.

Citizens are urged to report any request for or offer of a bribe, as well as cases of unlawful influence. According to the prosecution, such reports help ensure a swift response, secure evidence and enable competent institutions to take effective measures.