Skopje, 13 August 2026 (MIA) - The Basic Public Prosecutor's Office has filed an indictment against eight individuals for abuse of office in the State Lottery case.

Prosecutors have requested that the prime suspect, State Lottery ex-general manager Perparim Bajrami, who is still on the run, is given 30-day detention upon his arrest, while second defendant, former deputy PM Artan Grubi, to have his house arrest extended.

The PPO has also requested that the remaining defendants are given precautionary measures, including regular reporting to the court, confiscation of their passports and other identification documents, and ban for communication with certain persons.

According to the indictment, the defendants undertook joint actions in 2023 and 2024 that resulted in the misappropriation of EUR 8.25 million from the State Lottery.

After more than 14 months on the run, Grubi was arrested this February at the Blace border crossing. After being questioned at the prosecutor's office, Grubi was placed under house arrest instead of a previously ordered detention due to security reasons.

MIA file photo