President Stevo Pendarovski called on Monday the authorities to effectively, quickly and thoroughly complete the investigation into the “Racket” case, demanding accountability for everyone involved.

I, as a citizen, as a person, not only as President, I am disappointed because this also betrayed the expectations and trust I had in the people that we expect to fight for the rule of law. I’m aware of my responsibility as president and of my duty to protect the interests of the country and its citizens, its prosperity and security, and the achievement of the strategic goals, NATO & EU, towards which, in the past two years, we have acquired considerable momentum, I urge the competent institutions to ensure efficient, quick & thorough completion of the investigation respecting the principle of presumption of innocence. If there is evidence, file charges against everyone involved, regardless of whether they are public officials or not, Pendarovski said at a press conference.

At the press conference held on the occasion of the latest developments in the “Racket” case, Pendarovski said that in the past month the public has witnessed a huge criminal affair that shakes the foundations of important state institutions and brings into question, more than ever, citizens’ trust in politicians and in their own state.

At the very beginning of the “Racket” affair, I publicly stated my position that I was disappointed with what I had heard and called for a quick and thorough investigation. Instead, the authorities went on vacation as if it were a regular and routine matter, and that’s not the case. The audio and video recordings shared by the media the past few days caused deep disappointment among all citizens, especially those who, for years at the cost of constant pressure and threats from former government officials, protested daily demanding justice, the President said.

Apart from their criminal and legal liability, Pendrovski said, if there is any other connection with the case, in terms of providing protection of persons under investigation, I insist on the political responsibility of politicians, both from the government and the opposition.

In this context I urge those whose names have been mentioned, regardless of whether this has been done on purpose, only to discredit them, to volunteer to make statements before the competent prosecutor to show that we are all equal before the law and accountable to the general public. The public has the right to know our views, even if we are dealing with incredulous concoctions or speculations produced with dishonest intentions, said President Pendarovski.