The EC criticizes North Macedonia for the changes in the Criminal Code

The European Commission has criticized North Macedonia for the changes made to the Criminal Code, through which the prison sentences for office holders in court cases for abuse of office are reduced.

"The European Union notes with concern that some of the amendments to the Criminal Code approved by the Assembly of North Macedonia in an accelerated procedure, which reduce the maximum legal penalties, cause implications in the application of the principle of limitation and affect a large number of cases of high-level corruption", the spokeswoman of the European Commission, Ana Pisonero, stated for the MIA agency.

Amendments to several articles of the Criminal Code were approved on September 6 and provide for the halving of prison sentences and the complete abolition of sentences in cases of misuse of official position and authority during public procurement, or acts that damage budget funds.

In the previous version of the Criminal Code, the punishments for such criminal offenses started from five and could go up to ten or more years of imprisonment.

Now the punishments for these crimes will not be higher than five years.

More drastic reductions in the prison sentence are provided for in Article 394, which deals with the criminal offense of "criminal association".

Instead of the maximum of ten years in prison, which was previously provided for who creates a criminal group, now with the changes that have been made, the maximum penalty can reach up to three years in prison.

"North Macedonia is committed to promoting the rule of law and fighting impunity, and for this reason, sanctions for corrupt activities must be effective, appropriate and convincing," stated Pisonero.

According to her, the EU regrets the lack of comprehensive consultations with local factors and the European Commission before their adoption, as well as the use of the EU flagging procedure, which should be consistent and clearly linked to laws that mainly aim at harmonizing national rights from Union legislation.

Spokesperson Pisonero stated that "the European Commission will continue to monitor very carefully the development of the rule of law in the country, including in the context of membership negotiations."

Ambasadorja e Shteteve të Bashkuara në Maqedoni të Veriut, Angela Ageler, të martën njoftoi se një ekip ligjor nga Ambasada do të shqyrtojë ndryshimet e miratuara në Kodin Penal.

“Korrupsioni ka potencial të minojë ambiciet strategjike të Maqedonisë së Veriut”, thuhet në një përgjigje të Departamenti amerikan të Shtetit dhënë për Zërin e Amerikës në gjuhën maqedonase në pyetjen nëse ndryshimet e reja në Kodin Penal do të ndërlikojnë përpjekjet e SHBA-së për të ndihmuar në luftën kundër korrupsionit në vend.

"We encourage North Macedonia to fulfill its promises to fight corruption. North Macedonia's leaders must show strong, tangible anti-corruption results by strengthening institutional independence and preventing political interference, especially in the judiciary, which is essential for meeting EU membership goals and building citizens' trust in government", emphasized the US Department of State./ rel