Anti-Corruption Commission Opens Case Over Independence Celebration — Conflict of Interest Involving One Performer
The evaluation commission was chaired by Nikolche Micevski, who later also appeared as an author within the same programme.
The State Commission for Prevention of Corruption (DKSK) has opened a case, on its own initiative, related to how the 35th independence anniversary celebration was financed through the State Lottery. Commission president Adem Chuchulj confirmed the case is being reviewed within the commission's legal authority.
"We have not opened a case [into the whole financing] — we have only opened one on the conflict of interest involving one person who was mentioned as having been a member of the evaluation commission and later appeared as a performer," Chuchulj told TV24.
The person in question is Nikolche Micevski, who chaired the commission that evaluated the celebration programme, and who later turns up as the author of the orchestrations for José Carreras' performance, part of the same programme. Micevski is also known as author and arranger of the music on Karolina Goceva's album "Izvor," linked to Avalon, the production company that organised the events.
The public call for the programme, as reported, lasted only five working days and drew a single bid. The organisers — the government and Avalon — have said they will publish full spending details by the end of the month for the roughly €5.5 million spent on events nationwide for the anniversary.
Under established practice, when DKSK opens a case, prosecutors typically do not act in parallel but wait for the anti-corruption proceeding to conclude. The commission issues its decision at a public session once the facts have been established.
MKNews Hub · Politics · September 15, 2026