Skopje, 21 May 2024 (MIA) — Following a request from the Primary Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime and Corruption, a pre-trial judge has ordered 30-day detention for Supreme Court judge Nake Georgiev over suspicions of bribery under Article 359 of the Criminal Code.

"After the suspect testified in the presence of his defense lawyer, and also taking into consideration the evidence submitted by the Public Prosecutor, the 30-day detention request has been granted on the grounds of Article 165 paragraph 1," the Criminal Court said, noting that the suspect may influence witnesses or repeat the crime.

Earlier on Tuesday, prosecutors launched a probe against Georgiev, after police arrested him following a report by the the son of a suspect in a separate case led by the PPO.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the Supreme Court judge, using his official position and influence, falsely promised benefits for a suspect (the father of the person who reported the offense), claiming he would exert influence.

He was arrested Monday after being caught in the act and stripped of his judicial immunity. mr/