Artan Grubi kept without passport as trial continues; Lottery SUV torched in Čair

Former deputy prime minister Artan Grubi will remain without his passport while his criminal case linked to state Lottery purchases proceeds, the Basic Criminal Court in Skopje decided, even though the court lifted his house arrest today because it could not be extended. The decision leaves Grubi free to attend trial but subject to several restrictive measures.

Last night a State Lottery service SUV — a BAIC model registered to the Lottery — was set on fire in front of the home of the Lottery’s deputy director, Ahmet Miftari. Firefighters from Skopje extinguished the blaze after Miftari himself reported the incident; the police are investigating and have not ruled out arson. Miftari told reporters by phone that he cannot share details because the investigation is ongoing.

Court limits and continuing restrictions

The vehicle was torched on Krsto Asenov Street in the Čair municipality, less than 200 metres from an apartment belonging to a person connected to the Lottery who is under criminal indictment: Artan Grubi. Grubi, who returned to the country from an earlier flight and has since been under house arrest, pleaded not guilty to charges of illegal procurement of VLT machines and alleged damage to the state budget of over €9.7 million.

Although the court removed his house-arrest measure because it could not be prolonged, it rejected his request to have his passport returned despite a property guarantee exceeding €335,000. In its statement the Basic Criminal Court Skopje said:

"The proposal of the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office for the imposition of precautionary measures is accepted, namely:

• Prohibition on leaving the place of residence,
• Obligation to report periodically to the court,
• Prohibition on approaching or establishing contact and connections with certain persons.

Additionally, the precautionary measure remains active against the accused — seizure of the travel document and a ban on issuing a new travel document or any other document for crossing the state border," the Basic Criminal Court Skopje said.

When Grubi was first placed under house arrest, police protection was assigned in front of the building in Čair where he is registered as a resident due to safety threats. The Ministry of Interior did not respond to inquiries about whether the two-officer protection detail will continue after he returns to freedom or whether the security risk has diminished.

Reporter: Miomir Serafinovic

Photo: press material from the event