Skopje, 31 May 2022 (MIA) – The Skopje-based Appellate Court confirmed on Tuesday a decision extending the detention of former government secretary general Muhamed Zeqiri. The Court told MIA that appellate judges have rejected Zeqiri’s appeal requesting his release to defend himself in freedom. Following this decision of the Appellate Court, the former government secretary general remains in the Skopje prison. The Criminal Court issued a decision on May 5, 2022, to extend Zeqiri’s detention by another 30 days, after a previous 30-day detention order for Zeqiri on April 9, 2022. An appeal against that detention decision followed, but it was also rejected. Zaqiri is suspected of abuse of office in concluding a consultancy contract without a public procurement procedure in period April 2021-January 2022, assisted by the two other suspects. As a result, the suspects secured Mden 57,9 million (EUR 940,000) for the legal entity, which exceeded the contractual amount for consultancy services (EUR 795,000), meaning they obtained criminal proceeds in the amount of EUR 145,400.