Skopje, 23 February 2026 (MIA) – After being apprehended Monday morning at the Blace border crossing and placed in detention in Shuto Orizari prison, former first deputy prime minister Artan Grubi was questioned Monday afternoon at the Public Prosecutor's Office before being taken to the Criminal Court for a pretrial hearing.

Grubi, who was also minister for community relations, fled the country more than a year ago through the same border crossing after he and the former head of the State Lottery, Perparim Bajrami, had been suspected of committing an EUR 8 million crime related to the procurement of VLT machines.

At the time, an international arrest warrant was issued for Grubi and he was ordered a 30-day detention in absentia.

According to the former state public prosecutor, the investigation into the State Lottery case was concluded and authorities were waiting for Grubi’s extradition.

According to the prosecution, the State Lottery case was related to decisions and contracts that had apparently caused significant financial damage to the institution, estimated at more than EUR 8 million, with the intent to obtain unlawful material gain for another party. sk/mr

Фото и видео: МИА