Grubi could be freed from house arrest on August 22 if no indictment is filed
Investigation deadline expires August 22; absence of an indictment would lift Grubi’s house arrest and prompt a measure to secure his presence, the court says.
The final deadline for the investigation into former deputy prime minister Artan Grubi — a DUI politician — falls on August 22, and he could be released from house arrest on that date if prosecutors do not file an indictment.
Prosecutors at the Skopje Public Prosecutor's Office, who after Grubi’s 14-month period on the run kept him in custody for only half a day before converting the detention to house arrest, have a statutory period of 17 days to complete the probe; if they fail to file charges within that window, Grubi would be set free.
Court: absence of indictment triggers securing measure
In a written reply, the Basic Criminal Court Skopje said: "If there is no indictment, the house arrest of the suspect you asked about is lifted and the Basic Criminal Court Skopje, ex officio, determines a measure to secure presence. Most often that is confiscation of the passport."
Grubi returned at the Blace border crossing on February 23, 2026 after more than a year away; he is suspected of embezzlement of €8.2 million in the State Lottery case.
Legal experts note that when a court imposes a measure to secure presence after house arrest is lifted, it commonly restricts travel documents or applies other limited guarantees rather than renewed detention, though the exact step will depend on prosecutors’ next move.
If the indictment is filed before the August 22 deadline, the case will proceed in court and current measures may be reviewed; if not, the procedural rule foresees lifting the house arrest and setting a different, usually less restrictive, guarantee to ensure the suspect’s appearance in future proceedings.
Photo: press material from the event
