Skopje, 27 June 2023 (MIA) – We request a comprehensive investigation, not only of Ramiz Merko, but starting from Ali Ahmeti and up to the very last member of DUI, and not only for this period, but from 2002 and up until 2023, said the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Political System and Inter-Community Relations Artan Grubi in an interview for TV Sitel on Tuesday.

Asked about the case of Struga Mayor Ramiz Merko, who was blacklisted by the United States due to his involvement in corruption, the Deputy Prime Minister said DUI has accepted the policy of sanctions and received the U.S. Department of State’s decision.

“DUI has accepted and supported that policy of sanctions. We received the State Department’s decision, we respect it, and on the basis of this, decisions were made within the party regarding Merko’s membership in the Central Board, the General Council and the party in general,” said Grubi.

Regarding the case with the nephew of DUI leader Ali Ahmeti, who is one of the buyers of business center Soravia, Grubi said it is not up to him to say if there are any issues with the acquisition, this, he said, is the job of the relevant institutions. 

“There is a State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption, a Public Prosecutor’s Office, they should act in line with their competencies and determine what is real, instead of doing it like this, through accusations in the media and by abusing the issue for daily politics,” said Grubi.

Grubi added he has no information on the businesses owned by Ali Ahmeti’s nephew, Drin Ahmeti, because, he said, they are private businesses, and once again called on the institutions to act if there is anything unlawful, if there isn’t, he said, “I would expect everyone to apologize to him in the end.”

Asked about the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption, Grubi said he trusts the institution, but has doubts over its capacities.

“A huge majority of their cases are either stuck in administrative procedures or have been dismissed by judges, and I hope the next makeup of the Commission will be really serious. They haven’t had a single success during their term,” said Deputy PM Grubi.

Photo: MIA Archive