In 2022, the commander of the Greek Intelligence Service put together with his interlocutor from North Macedonia, a draft preliminary agreement for cooperation on cybersecurity. But they forgot to remove a subtle, albeit very important electronic trace, which was seen by inside story. This is Part B of the investigation resulting from Inside Story’s partnership with the Investigative Reporting Lab. Tal Dilian’s group of companies developed and sold the Predator…
A national treasure of nature and beauty threatened by powerful private interests in North Macedonia
A national treasure of nature and beauty threatened by powerful private interests in North Macedonia
IRL reveals for the first time how powerful private interests have endangered one of North Macedonia’s most valuable natural treasures — National Park Mavrovo, home to 1400 different plants and animals, including the rare Balkan lynx. More than a decade ago, the national government gave permission to private companies to build three small hydropower plants in the park, a move that effectively blocked pending legislation that, if approved, would have…
The Galicnik Wedding Festival is a key part of the Macedonian cultural heritage, and the old village houses are protected by law and are listed as such by the Ministry of Culture. Yet, there have been attempts to privatize and commercialize these cultural gems. Famously known as the “Groom’s House” — the state-owned “Villa Dosta” — is in danger. In 2016, the agricultural cooperative linked with the house declared bankruptcy…
There are few empty lots along the coast of Lake Mavrovo, part of one of North Macedonia’s oldest national parks. Over the past two decades, weekend villas, highrises, and luxury hotels have sprung up across the park, threatening the natural treasures within. In an attempt to find new land on which to build, the country’s political and business elites stumbled across a small village hidden in the mountainous terrain —…