Prosecutors in North Macedonia have requested international arrest warrants for Artan Grubi, the former deputy prime minister, and Përparim Bajrami, the former head of the State Lottery, over an alleged embezzlement scheme involving state assets.
The move follows a decision by the Basic Court in Skopje to place both men in 30-day detention. Prosecutors believe Grubi and Bajrami are “unreachable by authorities,” with indications they may have fled the country.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office said it would ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs to issue national arrest warrants and request international ones for the two men.
Grubi, the second suspect, is accused of facilitating an illegal process to supply video lottery terminals (VLTs), despite knowing the State Lottery was not authorized to independently organize gambling. Prosecutors estimate the financial damage to the State Lottery at around 8.2 million euros.
Both Grubi and Bajrami face prison sentences of up to five years if convicted.
Authorities raided their homes earlier this week but were unable to find them. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski confirmed that Grubi and a business associate left for Kosovo on December 15 in a vehicle with diplomatic plates. Mickoski also stated that Bajrami has been abroad for some time.
Grubi, who was added to the U.S. corruption blacklist, denied fleeing the country, stating he is abroad for a “private visit.”
The case has sparked wider concerns about corruption in North Macedonia’s state-run institutions. In addition to Grubi and Bajrami, six other individuals, including former Prime Minister Dimitar Kova?evski and ex-Government Secretary Metodija Dimovski, are facing charges related to abuse of office.
