Skopje, 11 December 2024 (MIA) - We aren’t disputing the decisions of the US Department of State, Grubi has a right to appeal, he will lead a process based on facts. He has this right, and he will certainly not cause harm to his political entity nor his family until the process receives a conclusion, DUI leader Ali Ahmeti told journalists Wednesday.

Asked if Artan Grubi would be removed from the party if he is proven to be guilty, Ahmeti said Grubi is a responsible man and there would be no need for the party to remove him since he would step down by himself.

“Grubi is a member of DUI, a person who led the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia for four years. Every DUI member has a duty, regardless of their post, whether they are higher ranked or lower ranked, to implement DUI's platform and election manifesto,” Ahmeti said.

On Monday, the U.S. Department of State said it has designated the former deputy prime minister of North Macedonia, Artan Grubi, and Enver Bexheti, Court of Appeals judge, for their involvement in significant corruption.

According to the State Department’s press release, Grubi and Bexheti had accepted bribes to undermine judicial processes tied to the criminal conviction of Sasho Mijalkov, director of North Macedonia’s Administration for Security and Counterintelligence (UBK). Mijalkov was designated in 2022 for significant corruption.

Grubi’s immediate family members were also designated as part of the State Department’s action.

Photo: MIA Archive