A suspected corruption scheme involving the issuance of a professional stomatology certificate has been uncovered in North Macedonia, with three people facing criminal charges for allegedly arranging the illegal acquisition of a state-recognized professional qualification.
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During searches carried out at the homes of two suspects, police seized significant amounts of cash in different currencies, including €65,280, 29,840 Swiss francs, and 161,500 denars.
Student Allegedly Paid for Professional Certificate
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, A.T., a 27-year-old dentistry student from Bitola, allegedly communicated several times in December 2025 through the Viber application with S.Ç., a 56-year-old professor at the Faculty of Dentistry in Skopje and former deputy president of the Chamber of Dentists.
Investigators suspect that after reaching an agreement, the student transferred money to the professor’s bank account in exchange for his intervention to help her obtain a professional healthcare worker certificate, despite allegedly not meeting the required conditions.
Authorities claim that the professor later contacted S.E., a 63-year-old from Skopje, who at the time served as president of the Professional Examination Commission within the Ministry of Health.
On December 17, 2025, the student appeared before the commission, successfully passed the professional exam, and subsequently received the state certificate.
Cash Seized During Police Operation
The operation was carried out by officers from the Department for Combating Organized and Serious Crime, who conducted searches at the homes of the second and third suspects.
Police seized:
- €65,280
- 29,840 Swiss francs
- 161,500 Macedonian denars
According to the criminal complaint, A.T. is suspected of the criminal offense of giving a reward for unlawful influence, S.Ç. is suspected of receiving a reward for unlawful influence, while S.E. is suspected of accepting a bribe.
Investigation Continues
The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that investigations are ongoing to fully clarify the circumstances of the alleged corruption scheme and identify whether other individuals may have been involved.
The case has raised new concerns over possible abuse of institutional positions in professional licensing procedures, particularly in sectors such as healthcare where certification directly affects public safety.