Skopje, 8 April 2025 (MIA) — Minister of Health and Alliance for Albanians leader Arben Taravari issued a press release Tuesday on the arrest of Muhsin Arifi, an Aliance for Albanians member who had been appointed acting director of November 13 Geriatric Hospital in Skopje, detained earlier Tuesday under charges of bribery.

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 AA president wrote.

"AA remains strongly committed to the fight against corruption and to the thorough reform of the state system in order to reduce all deviant phenomena to a minimum. The Albanian people do not deserve to be represented by people who are potentially trying to illegally get rich on the health problems of citizens. This is unacceptable," Taravari added.

The Ministry of Health also issued a press release requesting the Public Prosecutor's Office solve the case after the media reported that the public health institution's head was involved in bribery.

Earlier Tuesday, the Ministry of Interior and the Prosecutor's Office said they had detained two people on suspicions of the crimes of accepting a bribe and receiving a reward for illegal influence.

Taravari appointed Arifi acting director of Skopje's Geriatric Hospital in July. Previously, Arifi was director of the Bardovci Psychiatric Hospital. mr/