Skopje, 26 December 2024 (MIA) — Hopefully the person in question will come back to face justice and prove he is as clean as a whistle – but all evidence says otherwise, Minister of Interior Panche Toshkovski said Thursday in response to a Member of Parliament's question regarding former Deputy Prime Minister Artan Grubi who is wanted on an arrest warrant over alleged misappropriating around EUR 8 million from the State Lottery's budget.

According to Minister Toshkovski, the question was not if, but when Grubi would be brought to face justice in the country.

"I was pleasantly surprised by the statement of the person in question that he was on a private or a business trip and that he would stay only briefly in another country, and not in the country that has been feeding him for a long time," Toshkovski said.

"I still hope this person will show some virtue and responsibility but also that he is truly ready to answer to the face of justice, come and prove what he said is true — that he is as clean as a whistle, that he really did nothing to harm the state and the citizens. 

"I most responsibly claim — in line with all the evidence we have collected so far, and all the facts established within these pre-investigation and investigation procedures — it won't be easy for him to prove that he is as clean as a whistle," Toshkovski said.

The interior minister added that there was evidence pointing to "epic crimes."

"He will need a virtuoso lawyer, an expert in Criminal Law, to succeed in creating some defense theory," Toshkovski said, adding that he doubted Grubi's defense would be able to use that "theory" against "not only these facts and evidence, but also indications of other facts that point to epic crimes committed."

He reiterated that an international warrant is out for the former Deputy PM and that the Ministry of Interior was in bilateral communication with all neighboring countries so Grubi would be detained and brought to court. mr/