US Ambassador to Macedonia Kate Byrnes called on the Prime Minister Zoran Zaev to demand that all Government officials who are involved in the major criminal scandal that is developing daily are held accountable.

These are very serious allegations and with all allegations of corruption and abuse of office, we support a thorough, swift and transparent investigation. It’s absolutely critical that in any case of such allegations that those individuals be held responsible and that the Government take action. We recognize and welcome the current steps that the Government has taken to end corruption and to fight impunity but there is more work that can be done and so we will continue to urge Prime Minister Zaev to hold all of his Government officials accountable and to make sure that regardless of the level of office, people have faith in the Government institutions, Ambassador Byrnes said during her first interview with Alsat TV.

The scandal saw Special Prosecutor Katica Janeva resign after two of her alleged associates were detained on charges that they were extorting money from businessmen. The two were promising that Janeva will go easy on them, and even drop charges, if they pay sums ranging from hundreds of thousands of euros to the peak of six million euros. But, it is widely reported that, besides Janeva, the group was using its proximity to the Zaev Government in order to extort money with impunity, and at least two high level SDSM party officials were reportedly involved. Zaev denied their involvement and threatened journalists with libel lawsuits if they name the officials, and a journalist who announced he will name names today, backed off.

Byrnes’ statement comes shortly before acting US Assistant Secretary of State Philip Reeker is expected to visit Macedonia.