Disgraced Special Prosecutor Katica Janeva laid the blame for the corruption scandal on her friend, showman Bojan Jovanovski – Boki 13. During a statement she read out in the office of the Special Prosecutor, Janeva said that she did nothing wrong, actively or through omission, and pledged to resign as soon as her successor is chosen.

Given the claims, indications or unofficial information about my alleged involvement, I responsibly say that I’ve never abused the office I still hold, willingly or involuntarily. I encourage the judiciary to investigate the case in full. It is true that, like many other office holders, I know Bojan Jovanovski, and I’ve never concealed the fact that my son works in 1TV, and that he communicates with Jovanovski daily, which is the nature of his job, but that doesn’t mean that someone gained the right to use my office to achieve privileges or the perpetrate illegal actions. I expect that a transparent judicial procedure will put an end to the informal reports which someone is using to harm my honor and reputation. Unfortunately, news have reached me that Jovanovski, but also many others, have abused my name for various goals, Janeva said in the most shocking statement of the press conference.

She added that she will resign, as she announced last week as soon as Bojan Jovanovski – Boki 13 was arrested, once her successor is named by the Parliament. Janeva, who spoke alone, without other SPO prosecutors present, and didn’t allow any questions, asked that the office continues to function, despite this major scandal that eroded what was left of its credibility.

The SPO is bigger and more important than me. I leave behind a dozen of investigations which are prepared to be processed quickly. I’m convinced that these cases will answer the question why somebody tried to prevent my re-election and used an unprecedented media witch-hunt to endanger the integrity of the SPO, Janeva said.

The scandal was revealed in the public by journalist Branko Geroski, who reported that Janeva had Boki 13 extort 1.5 million EUR from businessman Jordan Orce Kamcev, on the promise that she will drop her money laundering charges against him. Other businessmen were reportedly also targeted, with the money paid to Boki 13, his accomplice Zoran Mileski – Zoki Kicheec, as bogus ad buys for Boki’s 1TV television or to some of his fake charities. The police has seized Janeva’s phones and her son’s computer, to establish her involvement in the racketeering, and it was alleged that Janeva was also recorded by Kamcev, via speakerphone, as he was being blackmailed.