Alfa TV reports that state prosecutors have begun a preliminary investigation in the corruption allegations raised by the owner of the Diamed dialysis company. Vera Ivanova reported that she faced extortion from Healthcare Minister Venko Filipce and the head of the FZO healthcare fund Den Doncev, who tried to block the Diamed sale to a Swedish company, and when this failed, demanded half the money.

Ivanova also filed charged against Zoran Mileski – Zoki Kicheec, who was allegedly the “muscle” in the extortion attempts against her and her company. Zoki Kicheec is the defendant in the major racketeering scandal revolving around former Special Prosecutor Katica Janeva, where he allegedly had the similar role of an enforcer and bagman. This prompted the public to name the Diamed extortion as Racket 2 – a second major racketeering attempt with direct links to the Zaev Government.

VMRO-DPMNE President Hristijan Mickoski said that the party has additional evidence about the case and will make it public if the prosecutors are seen as trying to cover up the scandal.