English
Dragana Bojkovska, a member of the Executive Committee of VMRO-DPMNE and a Member of Parliament, stated that the draft Criminal Code—which has been submitted to the European Commission—includes a new criminal offense. This offense concerns the jeopardizing of the banking system’s stability through baseless public dissemination of inaccurate information. It carries a prison sentence because, as she explains, one must be held accountable for spreading false or inaccurate information in a manner that threatens the banking system – this at a time when the opposition SDSM party is spreading such rumors about the Alta Bank.
“You are aware that we have submitted the Criminal Code to the European Commission. It includes a new provision addressing these types of situations—specifically, a criminal offense related to the banking sector and the spread of false information. It concerns the destabilization of the banking system caused by the baseless public dissemination of inaccurate information. A prison sentence will be introduced for this offense; one cannot simply spread false information—or attempt to gain political capital by doing so—without facing accountability. We are going to put an end to such situations,” said Bojkovska. MP Bojkovska followed up by outlining the provisions of the article pertaining to this criminal offense—specifically, the “endangering of the stability of the banking system.” The provision stipulates a prison sentence for any individual who, by leveraging their official or social position and reputation—or by using false statements or documents—disseminates inaccurate information to the public that compromises the stability of the banking system.
Bojkovska characterized the recent conduct of the opposition SDSM and its leader as irresponsible and hypocritical. She noted that their actions have fueled fear, hysteria, and panic among the public—at a time when, according to Bojkovska, the National Bank and the Government are working to swiftly facilitate the takeover of Alta Bank by another banking institution, with the aim of safeguarding the nation’s banking sector, as well as the interests and deposits of savers.
One must ask: is it responsible—to put it mildly—for the leader of the largest opposition party to spread such fear and cast a shadow over the legal entity Alta Bank AD Bitola—an institution that has fully disclosed its balance sheets, including its assets, capital reserves, and other related financial data? “And I must point this out, as it left the strongest impression on me: what kind of bank would step in to acquire Alta Bank—an entity currently under investigation and linked to suspicious transactions? This move by the leader of the opposition casts direct doubt on a legal entity in Macedonia. At a time when this Government and the National Bank are seeking an urgent solution—specifically, for another banking institution to take over this bank, with the primary goal of protecting the citizens—such actions are, to say the least, irresponsible and highly hypocritical, serving only to spread panic and fear. Let the professional institutions handle this matter; I believe political battles should be kept separate,” stated Bojkovska firmly.