Skopje, 30 September 2024 (MIA) – Former prime minister Nikola Gruevski’s two-year prison sentence expires on October 4. In the case dubbed “Tank”, Gruevski on October 4, 2018 was convicted in a trial for the illegal procurement of a luxurious Mercedes. 

October 4, 2024 marks six years since he was found guilty, meaning his prison sentence expires according to the law, Prizma portal reports.

According to the Criminal Code, a prison sentence expires when the statute of limitations for the execution of the sentence occurs when twice the time required for the statute of limitations has passed. In Gruevski's case, the statute of limitations is two times three years.

Alongside Gruevski, former interior minister Gordana Jankulovska was also found guilty for the illegal Mercedes procurement and sentenced to four years in prison as well as Gjoko Popovski, former Interior Ministry’s official. He was sentenced to 4,5 years in prison. Both of them have already served their time in prison. 

The Mercedes is still being used for official delegations, Ivica Tomovski, head of the Service for General Affairs, has confirmed.

Gruevski should serve a prison sentence of 1,5 years for the case “Violence in the Municipality of Centar.” It will enter a statue of limitations in 2027. He should be also behind bars for nine years after being found guilty in the “Lots in Vodno” trial. This sentence expires in 2043.

Gruevski’s sentences in the cases “TNT” and “Trajectory” have also expired. He was also found guilty in two other cases, “Titanic” and “Talir”. 

MIA file photo