The Basic Public Prosecutor's Office in Skopje has launched an investigation into Jovan Despotovski, former director of the Directorate for Technological Industrial Development Zones (TIDZ) in Skopje, and seven other high-ranking officials for alleged abuse of office. The case revolves around suspicions that they manipulated public procurement procedures to favour a specific company, Zobek Mining, in a €10 million tender. Despotovski has denied any wrongdoing, while authorities continue their investigation.

In November 2024, TV channel Telma reported that the Financial Police Directorate was investigating tenders for land development awarded by TIDZ to "Zobek Mining", amid suspicions of favouritism and manipulation of procurement criteria.

Between February 2022 and March 2024, the company signed five contracts with TIDZ, worth approximately €10.13 million for infrastructure projects in the economic zones of Štip and Strumica. There were suspicions that tender conditions were tailored to benefit Zobek Mining.

In December 2024, acting on a report from the Financial Police Directorate, the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office in Skopje initiated proceedings against eight individuals on reasonable suspicion that, as co-perpetrators, they had enabled unlawful financial gain for Zobek Mining amounting to 622,981,190 denars (approximately €10.13). The charges include abuse of official position and authority.

According to the prosecution, Despotovski issued a public procurement call for the infrastructure construction in TIDZ Štip and Strumica. TIDZs are designated areas established by the Government of North Macedonia to attract investment by offering various incentives to companies. Two companies submitted bids, with Zobek Mining offering a higher price but a significantly shorter execution period, leading to its selection as the contractor.

Investigators identified several key irregularities in the procurement process. Officials in the Public Procurement Bureau’s Committee for Administrative Control failed to verify whether the selected company met technical and professional requirements. The execution deadline was not properly assessed as a quality criterion. When the second bidder appealed the decision, members of the State Commission for Public Procurement Appeals dismissed expert evidence supporting the appeal, allowing the contract to proceed.

Two months after construction began, Despotovski signed a contract annex, increasing its value by 84,688,628 denars (€1.8 million, 19.77%) and extending the execution deadline. Three months later, he signed a second annex, increasing the contract value by an additional 34,921,240 denars (€567 thousand) and further extending the deadline. Despite Zobek Mining failing to meet the agreed 120-day deadline, authorities did not impose penalties, activate bank guarantees or terminate the contract.

By neglecting their duties, the suspects allowed the company to secure the public procurement contract based on an unrealistically short execution period, which it ultimately failed to meet, and a significantly higher price than its competitor. In doing so, they enabled the company to obtain unlawful financial gain.

Following the announcement of proceedings, the Basic Criminal Court in Skopje approved the prosecutor's request to seize assets owned by Zobek Mining to secure them for potential future confiscation. The court also seized Despotovski's passport to prevent a possible flight risk.

Despotovski, a former vice president of the SDSM party, resigned as TIDZ director in July 2024. He denied the accusations, asserting that the selection process was entirely transparent and conducted in full compliance with the law.

The scale of the alleged corruption in this case extends beyond financial damage, exposing weaknesses in public procurement processes. The involvement of public officials in manipulating tenders undermines institutional integrity and fairness, erodes public trust, and discourages qualified economic operators from competing. The estimated harm—622,981,190 denars (approximately €10 million)—represents a significant misuse of public resources. Citizens must remain vigilant and demand greater transparency in public tenders to prevent future abuses.