THE USURPATION OF REAL ESTATE AND ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTIONS AS A CRIMINAL PHENOMENON: A CASE STUDY OF THE TETOVO REGION, NORTH MACEDONIA

The phenomenon of real estate usurpation and illegal construction, which is a criminal activity, is very evident in the Tetovo region. A key factor influencing the spread of this criminal phenomenon is the ineffective functioning of the institutions tasked with preventing and combating it. This paper will elaborate on several issues related to the legal regulation that provides for criminal sanctions against actions related to the usurpation of real estate and unauthorized construction, the role of the construction inspectorate and the Agency for Real Estate and Cadastre, as well as the management of measures and activities undertaken by police bodies to uncover and document these criminal offenses. Among other things, some statistical data on the volume and dynamics of these criminal offenses during the period 2021-2023, obtained from the Tetovo Internal Affairs Sector, will be analyzed. During the work on this topic, the analysis method, statistical method, comparative method, observation method, etc., will be used. In conclusion, some concrete conclusions related to this type of criminality will be given.