Mickoski: Grubi's reception in Čair is making his situation harder
Mickoski says torch-lit celebrations after the lifting of Grubi's house arrest were counterproductive and defended legal safeguards.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said the torch-lit, fireworks-accompanied reception for former first deputy prime minister Artan Grubi in the Skopje municipality of Čair after the lifting of his house arrest was counterproductive and complicates Grubi's legal position.
Earlier, Grubi's legal team issued a public apology to citizens who may have been disturbed by the event, saying the gathering on the evening of October 13 was spontaneous and organised by neighbours, friends and supporters, without political messages or symbols. The lawyers added that Grubi did not take part in organising the welcome and that their priority remains his legal defence and securing a fair judicial process.
Restrictions remain despite end of house arrest
Answering questions about the celebration, Mickoski said he had read the apology and stressed that Grubi is not in the same position as a fully free citizen. "I would not say he is free, as I am free. I have my travel document and I can leave the city and the country," he said.
Mickoski also referred to the legal technicality: after the statutory 60-day period expires, the court is obliged to lift the house arrest measure and to set another method of securing the defendant's presence, for example by confiscating the travel document.
Mickoski added that those who organised or take part in highly visible street celebrations may think they are helping party colleagues, but "I think they are wrong; on the contrary, they are making things harder for them."
Videos posted on social media show Grubi — who is the second accused in the "State Lottery" case — being received in Čair with torches and smoke devices, walking through neighbourhood streets amid fireworks and later sitting in a restaurant with dozens of people.
Photo: press material from the event
