Defence Ministry pandemic tenders: masks and food packages (SPAK check, 2021)
Status: SPAK check reported (2021); no charge found in sources opened for this tender
Summary
Balkanweb (23 Jan 2021) reported that SPAK was checking the role of former Defence Minister Olta Xhaçka in two Defence Ministry tenders held during the 2020 pandemic: a tender for 300,000 masks for army patrols (later renegotiated to 100,000) and a tender for food packages awarded to a North Macedonian firm. The probe followed a Democratic Party criminal complaint from spring 2020 alleging corruption in the food tender.
The article describes Xhaçka as questioned as a person with knowledge, not as a suspect. Her explanation was that the masks were ordered for army patrols, that donations meant the order was renegotiated, and that the direct award was a pandemic measure.
Key facts
- 300,000 masks tender, later renegotiated to 100,000.
- Food package tender awarded to a North Macedonian firm (per article).
- Xhaçka questioned for about 40 minutes (article).
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (1)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- SPAK questioned Xhaçka as a person with knowledge (reported).
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationEqual-treatment violations in tendering and possibly other offences (SPAK suspicion, as reported).
Allegations and who made them (1)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationDP complaint (spring 2020) alleging corruption in the food tender (as reported).
Open questions (1)
- Whether the tender check led to any charge (none found).
Responses (1)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Xhaçka's explanation as summarised in Balkanweb, 23 Jan 2021.
Timeline
Full timeline →SPAK
SPAK checks Xhaçka's role in two Defence Ministry pandemic tenders
Balkanweb reports SPAK questioning Xhaçka as a person with knowledge about the masks and food tenders.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 1 source.
Source label: Officially reportedOfficially reported · 1 source
- Publisher
- Balkanweb
- Date
- 23 Jan 2021