Skopje, 16 August 2024 (MIA) - The case with Blerim Ramadani is further evidence why the judiciary has only two percent of the citizens’ trust and as long as judges like these are part of the judiciary we cannot have rule of law, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski told media on Friday.

Asked if he has any reports on Blerim Ramadani’s whereabouts, Mickoski said “the question isn’t where he is, but why it was decided he should be under house arrest” and that this “is an issue that should be seriously assessed”.

“Regarding Blerim Ramadani, I can say the following. This is not the first case. The first case happened in 2016, and the second in 2019. This is the third case I am familiar with. You asked me if I have any reports on where he is – I know where he isn’t. He isn’t in house arrest. Now the question is why was it decided to place him under house arrest. Since the 2019 decision of the Supreme Court is very clear – when the individual back then, who was under extradition detention, was freed. Why did this judge, who in the past was known for many controversial judicial decisions including the one about the thugs in MNAV, adopt a decision suspending the judicial practice and supplanting the decision of the higher court, the Supreme Court, is an issue that should be seriously assessed,” Mickoski said.

According to the PM, another issue that should be assessed is why the case grew into a political topic.

“This shouldn’t have been a topic. And I urge all of you to not allow our neighbors to use our country as a proxy in their mutual flexing of muscles. The judicial practice is clear – whether we like it or not is a different topic. But the Supreme Court adopted a decision in 2019 freeing an individual arrested because of an international warrant from Serbia who was in extradition detention. The judicial gymnastics or engineering by this judge are part of a different analysis,” Mickoski said, adding that as a politician he cannot comment on judicial decisions, “there is an institution which is still active, it’s called the Judicial Council, they should look into it”.

Asked if he spoke with the Serbian authorities on the issue, as they requested on Thursday, Mickoski reiterated his call not to allow “our neighbors to flex their muscles in our country”, adding that he “doesn’t submit explanations to anyone”. 

Photo: MIA Archive