Saveski does not say whether a preliminary investigation into Alta Bank has begun: Prosecutor’s Office acts when it identifies elements of a criminal offense

State Public Prosecutor Nenad Saveski said the Public Prosecutor’s Office intervenes whenever it identifies a criminal offense. He declined to say whether preliminary proceedings had begun in the Alta Bank case, explaining that the law requires them to remain confidential.

Saveski made the remarks during a parliamentary oversight debate on Alta Bank, while answering lawmakers’ questions. He said the Prosecutor’s Office’s duty to act depends not on who asks it to intervene, but on whether it identifies elements of a criminal offense.

He explained that the Prosecutor’s Office acts when it uncovers a criminal incident, establishes who was responsible and identifies the offense committed.

Lawmaker Mile Taleski asked whether a case had been opened concerning Alta Bank and whether preliminary investigative steps were being taken. Saveski gave no direct answer. He clarified that he had said neither that there was an investigation nor that there was not one, and that he could not discuss the existence of preliminary proceedings because of the legal requirement of confidentiality. The prosecutor added that the law applies equally to everyone and that anyone who has committed a crime must answer for it under the law.

Asked further whether charges would be brought against Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski over a statement alleged to have been false during the hearing, Saveski said the public prosecutors with jurisdiction make their decisions based on evidence.

He urged anyone with evidence that someone had committed a crime to submit it to the public prosecutor’s office with jurisdiction. According to Saveski, the public prosecutor assigned the case has a legal duty to act and make the appropriate decision.