Skopje, 8 October 2025 (MIA) - Defendants Majsut Memishi, Almir Asani, and Florin Arifi were given Wednesday the maximum sentence of three years in prison for creating illegal landfills on parts of the Vardarishte site in Skopje.

At a trial at Skopje’s Criminal Court, the defendants were found guilty of establishing a landfill in violation of regulations, despite knowing they lacked a permit under the Law on Waste Management and had not established a legal entity for such activity.

“Without permits and documentation for the collection, treatment, and storage of waste, they created illegal landfills in violation of the Environmental Protection Law, thereby endangering public health and polluting the environment. For this, they are sentenced to three years in prison,” the Court ruled.

The defense argued that there is no evidence proving the fires at Vardarishte occurred at the location where the defendants had dumped waste.

MIA file photo