Skopje, 17 October 2023 (MIA) – As in the previous two cases of wiretapping, in this one too, unfortunately we won’t have a legal conclusion, and once again there won’t be responsibility over the illegal wiretapping in the country. We have a complete expiration of the statute of limitations which is a direct consequence of the amendments to the Criminal Code, said Public Prosecutor Lenche Ristovska in answer to media questions Tuesday, referring to the “Target-Fortress” case.

After the Skopje-based Criminal Court decided to stop proceedings in the case dubbed "Target-Fortress" over unlawful wiretapping due to the expired statute of limitations, Prosecutor Ristovska clarified that the statute of limitations has not yet expired for the part of the case which refers to the destruction of the wiretapping equipment.

“The ones indicted for this who are being tried in court are Gordana Jankuloska, Toni Jakimovski, as well as fugitives Nikola Bishkovski and Goran Gruevski, and one more individual indicted for falsifying a license, Valentina Simonovska. The statute of limitations hasn’t expired for this part of the case yet, but of course the Criminal Code amendments will have their implications, since the deadline is shortened and consequently the threat of the expiration of the statute of limitations is there as well,” said Ristovska.

Asked about who will have to cover the damages from the wiretapping, considering the conclusion of the case, Ristovska said the expenses will have to be borne by the Budget.

“The expenses for the criminal procedure, such as expenses of the defendants for their attorneys, the expenses that have arisen due to the investigations etc., all of that will be at the expense of the Budget. Most importantly, the compensation for the victims of the unlawful wiretapping will once again have to be covered by the state,” said Ristovska.

According to Ristovska, Macedonian society is yet to feel the implications of the amendments to the Criminal Code.

The Criminal Court decided Tuesday to stop proceedings in the case dubbed "Target-Fortress" over unlawful wiretapping against defendants Goran Gruevski, Sasho Mijalkov, Nadica Nikolikj, Vladimir Varelov, Marijan Shumulikoski and Vasil Isakovski for crimes 'criminal association' and 'abuse of office' due to the expired statute of limitations.

Photo: MIA Archive