Zoran Zaev’s brother Vice gained notoriety in 2015, when a leaked video recording from the state prosecutor’s office showed a clear bribery attempt on the part of the then Mayor of Struimica Zoran Zaev. Speaking with a local businessman, Zaev asks for several thousands euros in bribes to approve the sale of a publicly owned piece of land, and instructs him to “leave my share with Viceto” – drop it off in Vice’s money changing store.
Since Zaev became Prime Minister, the family businesses have grown exponentially, and his family has moved into marijuana growing and construction. But, Vice Zaev is now suing VMRO-DPMNE deputy leader Aleksandar Nikoloski, who publicly accused the ruling family of abusing its position of power to take over businesses, and of cutting both political and business deals with former state security chief Saso Mijalkov.
In an interview on Wednesday, Zoran defended his brother Vice from the allegations, saying he was “anguished” by the public allegations against him.
There were allegations of crime, of coordinating business deals. I speak sincerely every time. There is an anguished soul here. He tells me I should go do my work in politics, but that he has the right to compete for public businesses. He asks me, as he was banned from competing for public contracts when we were in the opposition, so how come he should be banned now?, Zoran Zaev said during the interview.
More recently, other Zaev relatives were revealed to have opened new companies, registered in Bulgaria. According to VMRO-DPMNE, the companies are registering in logistics and will likely be used to transport copper ore from a large new mine being built near Strumica. Zaev initially opposed the opening of the mine, but has now endorsed it, and VMRO claims that the promise of winning the lucrative transportation contracts may have had something to do with his change of heart.
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