Skopje, 24 August 2026 (MIA) -- The trial of Artan Grubi, former first deputy prime minister and minister of community relations charged with abuse of public office, has been postponed to Sept. 7. 

Judge Biljana Shuplinovska Jovevski, who is presiding over the trial, agreed to postpone the proceedings earlier Monday at the Criminal Court after the defense moved for a continuance to allow adequate time to review the prosecution's newly produced evidence.

Public prosecutors Daniel Kocev and Aleksandar Davchevski are leading the government's case. 

Grubi, together with former State Lottery head Perparim Bajrami, is suspected of embezzling EUR 8 million through VLT electronic gaming machines in 2023 and 2024. If found guilty, the defendants face up to five years in prison. 

After more than 14 months on the run, Grubi was arrested back in February at the Blace border crossing and placed under house arrest. Bajrami is still on the run. mr/

фото: МИА