U.S. sanctions former N. Macedonia top prosecutor

The U.S. also sanctioned current mayor of Karpos municipality Stevco Jakimovski in North Macedonia and former mayor of Kosovo's Kacanik, Xhabir Zharku. Jakimovski, who is accused of exploiting his position for personal benefit, is a candidate for president of North Macedonia in the upcoming elections on April 24.

The actions of the sanctioned officials undermined the rule of law and the public’s faith in their respective governments’ democratic institutions and public processes, the Department of State said in a statement on Monday.

The sanctions also affect immediate family members of Janeva and Jakimovski, including Jakimovski's two adult sons, Goce and Damjan, and Janeva's spouse and adult son, Venci and Lazar.

Janeva, formerly the chief of North Macedonia’s now defunct special prosecution, is accused of exploiting her authority for personal benefit, which includes accepting bribes to sway prosecutions within her jurisdiction. In 2020, she was sentenced to seven years in prison.