VMRO-DPMNE deputy leader Aleksandar Nikoloski was threatened with a lawsuit by Prime Minister Zoran Zaev over his statement that the amount of money extorted from businessmen as part of the Boki 13 scandal can reach up to 20 million EUR. VMRO-DPMNE blames Zaev for the scandal, given his close ties with the key persons involved in the scandal which, the opposition says, could not have happened without backing from the highest circles of Government.

Instead of issuing a denial to my statements or presenting different facts, Zoran Zaev uses his position as Prime Minister, the most powerful person in the country, to threaten with lawsuits. This is a clear attempt to pressure and silence the opposition, Nikoloski said during a press conference today.

Nikoloski was also sued by Zaev’s brother Vice, after disclosing details about his business dealings. Nikoloski also notes that Zaev’s response doesn’t deny the claim that companies were robbed of 20 million EUR by the politically linked group of extortionists, and that the only matter Zaev denies is his personal involvement in the scandal.

There is an active investigation into the racketeering scandal. My job as a politician and Vice-President of VMRO-DPMNE is to ask questions and share information. We need to complete this investigation through democratic means, as soon as possible. Nobody in this country believes that Boki 13 was extorting money all by him self. No businessman would have given him a denar, let alone untold millions, unless he had the highest circles of the Government backing his actions, Nikoloski said.