Skopje, 23 February 2026 (MIA) – Former First Deputy Prime Minister Artan Grubi, suspected of embezzlement at the State Lottery, who was detained Monday morning at the Blace border crossing and placed in detention in Shuto Orizari prison, has already been brought in for questioning at the Prosecutor’s Office.

Former First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Inter-Community Relations, Artan Grubi, who fled the country more than a year ago through the same border crossing after he and the former head of the State Lottery, Perparim Bajrami, were suspected of committing an €8 million crime related to the procurement of VLT machines.

An international arrest warrant has been issued for Grubi and he was ordered a 30-day detention in absentia.

According to the former State Public Prosecutor, the investigation into the State Lottery case has been concluded and authorities were waiting for Grubi’s extradition.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the State Lottery case covers decisions and contracts for which there is suspicion that they caused significant financial damage to the institution, estimated at more than €8 million, with the intent to obtain unlawful material gain for another party.

Photo: MIA archive