SDSM: Llatаs’s Acquittal After Gruevski Shows Mickoski’s Control Over the Prosecution

The opposition SDSM said in a statement today that the Prosecution’s withdrawal of the indictment against Dragan Pavlovic Llatаs and his acquittal constitute further evidence, in its view, of political interference in the judiciary.

According to the party, following the acquittal of former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, the Llatаs case also shows that Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski “directly manages the Prosecution and the judicial system.”

“When it concerns someone close to VMRO-DPMNE or Mickoski himself, indictments disappear. When it concerns political opponents or critics of the authorities, the Prosecution is extremely diligent and efficient,” the SDSM statement said.

The party stressed that such a situation creates major difficulties for the country’s European integration process, as the European Union requires independent judicial institutions and prosecution services.

In its reaction, SDSM added that, instead of functioning as an independent body in the fight against crime, the Prosecution acts, in its view, on the basis of political instructions and provides protection to people close to those in power.