The United States has banned former North Macedonian Deputy PM Artan Grubi and Judge Enver Bexheti for corruption, marking a major move against high-level graft.
The pair allegedly took bribes to interfere in the conviction of ex-intelligence chief Sasho Mijalkov, who was blacklisted by the US in 2022. Grubi’s family members have also been barred.
US Ambassador Angela Aggeler declared, “No one is above the law,” adding that the move shows political meddling in the judiciary “cannot and will not be tolerated.”
Political fallout
Grubi, a senior figure in the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), called the decision “deeply personal” and promised to clarify the allegations. Meanwhile, the ruling VMRO-DPMNE party called it a “great shame for the state,” accusing the DUI of corrupting the judiciary.
Others welcomed the decision. Opposition leader Ziadin Sela urged those implicated to resign and face charges, while Arben Taravari of the Alliance for Albanians wrote, “The DUI’s corruption has been exposed by our strategic partners.”
Broader effort
The announcement coincides with International Anti-Corruption Day, as Washington sanctioned 14 individuals globally for corruption and human rights abuses.
