Skopje, 13 March 2024 (MIA) - The Supreme Court has rejected as unfounded the appeal against the detention order for Aleksandar Gjorchevski, the father of murdered 14-year-old Vanja Gjorchevska. 

"Following a public session held on March 13, 2024, the Criminal Council at the Supreme Court of the Republic of North Macedonia decided to reject as unfounded the appeal from defendant A.Gj., presented through defense attorney Vladimir Tufegdzhikj, and to uphold the decision of the Skopje-based Appellate Court," the Supreme Court said in a press release. 

The Supremer Court's decision comes after Wednesday's public session over the appeal against the detention order for Aleksandar Gjorchevski, whereat the defense claimed that the detention is preventive and therefore impermissible, while the prosecution said the evidence lead to an indisputable conclusion of a well-founded suspicion at this stage that the accused has committed the crime he is charged with.

The appeal to the Supreme Court came after the Skopje-based Appellate Court's decision to reject as unfounded an appeal against extending the detention order for the suspect Aleksandar Gjorchevski until April 3, 2024. 

Vanja Gjorchevska, 14, was found dead near Skopje on December 3 after she was reported missing on November 27, and Panche Zhezhovski, 74, was found dead near Veles on December 3 after he was reported missing on November 24.

Prime suspect in the case, Ljupcho Palevski-Palcho, who has been charged with abduction and murder, is in detention in Turkey until extradition is effected. Suspects Velibor Manev, Vlatko Keshishov and Bore Videvski have been charged with abduction and accessory to murder, and are in detention in Skopje. Vanja's father Aleksandar Gjorchevski, who is also in detention, is suspected of sharing information over his daughter's morning routine and has been charged with accessory to abduction. 

The Skopje-based Criminal Court, upon proposal of a competent prosecutor, cancelled the detention of Stefan Dimovski, the person who drove Ljupcho Palevski - Palcho, the prime suspect in the murder of Vanja Gjorchevska and Panche Zhezhovski, from Serbia to Turkey.  

Precautionary measures have been ordered against Stefan Dimovski, who is suspected of assisting escape. Under the precautionary measures the suspect is prohibited from leaving their place of residence, will have their travel documents seized, as well as the driving license, and will have to appear in court when summoned.

Photo: MIA archive