Skopje, 9 April 2025 (MIA) — A pre-trial judge at the Skopje Criminal Court has ordered 30 days' detention for Muhsin Arifi, acting director of November 13 Geriatric Hospital, and an accomplice who were detained Tuesday under charges of bribery.

The detention order was issued because they pose a flight risk and may influence witnesses or repeat the crime, the Criminal Court said in a press release.

They are suspected of accepting a bribe of EUR 20,000 for admitting a disabled old person to the geriatric institution.

Minister of Health and Alliance for Albanians leader Arben Taravari issued a press release Tuesday on the arrest of Arifi, an Alliance for Albanians member who had been appointed acting director by Taravari in July.

Noting that Arifi had been nominated to the post by AA, Taravari urged the authorities to solve the case "quickly and efficiently."

"Anyone who has committed a crime before the law must bear responsibility, regardless of their ethnic, religious or political affiliation," the health minister wrote.

Previously, Arifi was director of the Bardovci Psychiatric Hospital. mr/