Ljupcho Pecov ('Gjavolot') given suspended two‑year sentence, ruling finalized

Ljupcho Pecov, known in the public sphere as "Gjavolot", has been convicted in the "Sindzhir" case after admitting guilt and received a suspended two‑year prison sentence that will not be executed provided he does not commit another criminal offense within the next five years.

Court ruling and penalties

The Basic Criminal Court Skopje announced that Pecov admitted guilt on 24 August. Because neither side filed an appeal, the judgment became final on 21 September.

In addition to the suspended prison sentence, the court imposed a fine of €8,000 on Pecov and a subsidiary penalty prohibiting him from founding or managing a company for 10 years. The court also punished the company connected to the accused, which is in bankruptcy.

Regarding the corporate sanction the court stated: "To the accused legal entity DUTUD A.K.A.P. DOOEL, which is in bankruptcy, a monetary fine in the amount of 1 000 000 denars is imposed, and at the same time ancillary penalties are imposed — a ban on obtaining permits, licenses and concessions established by a special law, a ban on participation in public procurement procedures and a ban on establishing new legal entities, all for a duration of 5 years."

The court said that when deciding Pecov's penalty it took into account the need to ensure parity with other defendants in this complex criminal case who also admitted guilt, compensated the financial damage and received alternative measures in separate proceedings.

Pecov was among 26 individuals targeted in the "Sindzhir" investigation, which opened in late October 2023 and involved owners and managers of 28 companies accused of a VAT fraud scheme that allegedly defrauded the state budget of roughly €8 million.

Authorities say Pecov fled the country but returned and surrendered to investigators in late December of last year. His surrender followed the arrest of his lawyer and former state attorney Fehmi Stafa, who was detained on suspicion of accepting a bribe of €50,000 to influence a change of detention measure for Pecov. Stafa later admitted guilt and was sentenced to one year and three months in prison. A separate trial is ongoing against appellate judge Gjoko Ristov, after €350,000 was found hidden in the wall of his family home in Negotino in January.

Photo: Arhiva