Skopje Prosecutor Seeks International Arrests for Artan Grubin, and Progress Bajrami is believed to have left the RMV

Prosecutors have been seeking international arrest for former deputy prime minister of Northern Macedonia, Artan Grubin, and former director of State Lottery, Progress Bajrami, who are being investigated in a case for embezzlement of illegal property.

Prosecutors' request comes after Skopje's Constitutional Court ordered 30 days of detention for Grubin and Bajram.

Prosecutors believe Grubi and Bajrami are “inept for authorities” in connection with investigations in question, as they are believed to have left the country.

The Constitutional Public Prosecutor in Skopje said in a communique that he would ask the Northern Macedonia Ministry of Internal Affairs to publish the publication of national warrants and a declaration to issue international arrests on Grubi and Bajrami.

According to the prosecution, Grubi, as the second suspect in this case, is accused of facilitating an illegal procedure for supply of terminal (VLT), despite knowledge that state Lottaria had no right to organise independently electronic game of fate within the territory of Northern Macedonia.

According to the prosecution, the damage caused in State Lottery amounts to about 8.2m euros.

Grubi and Bajrami risk prison sentences of up to five years if convicted.

Police raided Grub and Bajrami's homes days ago, however, they were not found at home at the time.

Northern Macedonia Prime Minister Hristian Mickoski said days before that Grubi, along with a businessman, left northern Macedonia towards Kosovo on 15 December, with a car with diplomatic license plates, while for Bajram, he said that the long term “is outside the territory of North Macedonia”.

Grubi, who recently entered the US voice list of corruption, has denied leaving the country, saying he is abroad “for a private visit”.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MPB) announced on Tuesday afternoon that criminal charges were filed against six other persons, suspected of acts bribing official position and authority”, “bribery”, and “misusing the procedure for public calls, sharing public supply deals or public-privat<6> in connection with the case of the North Macedonia State Loterate.

Among the suspects are former Prime Minister and former Freedom of the Social Democrat League of Macedonia (LSDM), Dimitar Kovacevski, as well as former Government Secretary General Methodius Dimovski, who is charged with “misusing official position and authority”. / REL