On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, Stefan Bogoev, the former director of the Customs Administration of North Macedonia, was escorted to the Basic Criminal Court in Skopje following a major operation by the Financial Police.
Allegations of Corruption
Authorities are investigating Bogoev and three other individuals in connection with a series of illicit activities within the Customs Administration. The core allegations include:
- Procurement Fraud: Systematic manipulation of public procurement procedures, specifically regarding hygiene maintenance services at border crossings.
- Bribery: Suspicions regarding the acceptance of bribes, with investigators pointing to a specific transaction involving 1,800 euros.
- Abuse of Office: The suspects are charged with abuse of official authority to favor specific vendors.
Legal Proceedings
The Public Prosecutor's Office has formally requested that the court impose a detention measure on Bogoev and his co-defendants. A judge of the preliminary procedure is currently reviewing the evidence presented by the prosecution.
"The investigation focuses on the integrity of procurement processes that were intended to serve the public interest but were allegedly subverted for personal gain," noted a source familiar with the proceedings.
Bogoev, who previously served as the director from June 2023 to July 2024 and is a prominent figure in the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM), remains in custody as the court deliberates on the prosecutor's request.
