A new investigation has been opened in connection to transportation of students in the Municipality of Bitola, the Special Prosecutor's Office (SPO) told a news conference on Thursday.
SPO prosecutor Fatime Fetai said the case had been taken over from the Bitola Basic Public Prosecution.
Out of the collected evidence, she added, the SPO has serious convictions the Municipality of Bitola had been probably paying transportation services through its mayor 'far more expensive than those in Tokyo'.
"After reaching an agreement with the principals of elementary schools and high schools and with bus operators, the mayor of Bitola and the chairman of a commission have caused damage estimated at MKD 22.024,891, i.e. close to EUR 360,000 in two school years alone," Fetai stated.
Speaking at the press conference, the Special Prosecutor Katica Janeva said the institution so far had opened five investigations.
"The SPO will continue to work in line with the law and I'm confident that justice will prevail," stressed Janeva.
The Thursday's press conference of the Special Prosecutor's Office was attended by several diplomatic officials serving in the country, including the ambassadors of Germany, the UK and Italy.