Ali Ahmeti: I expect Artan Grubi to be freed from house arrest
DUI leader says he asked Artan Grubi to return to North Macedonia and expects release from house arrest within about ten days if no indictment is filed.
On 11 August 2026 Ali Ahmeti, leader of the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), said he expects former first deputy prime minister Artan Grubi to be released from house arrest in the 'Lottery' case within about ten days if no indictment is filed.
Ahmeti told reporters that he has urged Grubi to return to North Macedonia and face any responsibility for misuse of trust. He repeated that he wants an even-handed legal process and said he had pushed for Grubi to be allowed to come out and answer the accusations.
Ahmeti also recounted his conversations with Grubi and quoted their exchange: "I was the main supporter who asked Artan Grubi to return to North Macedonia to take on the process. I told him directly: 'If you have abused my trust, you will answer for it.' He swore he would work honestly. And the only word he told me was: 'I worked honestly'.
"And I publicly requested and pressured local politics to let him come out and answer. But not selective justice; I want real justice. And I think things are going well, the first thing is for him to be released from house arrest and let's see how it continues," Ahmeti said.
Ahmeti framed his position as a call for a non-selective judiciary rather than political interference: he said the priority now is Grubi's release from house arrest and that the legal proceedings should proceed as appropriate.
The remarks underline the party leader's public role in the case and signal that DUI intends to keep pressure for a transparent process while awaiting the prosecutor's next steps.
Photo: press material from the event
