Evidence Sought for Skopje 2014 Fraud Probe

Macedonia's chief prosecutor, Ljupco Svrgovski, said they needed evidence and arguments of possible crimes from the police or the Anti-Corruption Commission before they could launch a probe.

On receipt of such evidence or arguments, "we will... decide whether to press charges or investigate further", he said.

He noted that no such evidence had been presented to them so far.

On Wednesday, the head of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Ilmi Selami, urged the prosecutor's office to investigate claims by opposition Social Democrats that the Ministry of Culture had shredded tendering documents for the Skopje 20104 project in order to conceal millions of euros that had gone missing.

The opposition last week accused the ministry of shredding documents for 14 tendering procedures for projects linked to the government-led revamp of the capital.

They allege that 20 million euro connected to Skopje 2014 has gone unaccounted for.

The Social Democrats say that among the missing documents is a tendering procedure for the National Theatre that a local company won for 4 million euro. Police say they are working on the case but have not revealed any details.

Last week, the Culture Minister, Elizabeta Kanceska Milevska, dismissed the opposition claims. She said all the relevant documents were in the hands of the ministry and she threatened to sue the Social Democrat officials who launched the claims.

Skopje 2014 envisages the construction of various buildings in Classical styles and the erection of more than 17 large bronze and marble monuments in the central area of the capital. The aim of the plan is not only to improve the overall look of the city but to boost pride in Macedonia's heritage.

While official data concerning the cost of the plan is absent, observers estimate that the ongoing revamp could cost Macedonia more than 200 million euro.