Stefan Dimovski, sentenced for child trafficking, has been a fugitive since March
Appellate court raised his sentence to 8.5 years; central and international arrest warrants were issued in April–May 2026.
Stefan Dimovski (29) from Veles has been a fugitive since March and has not been located or brought to serve his prison sentence, authorities say. Dimovski was the first defendant in a case involving the sexual exploitation and trafficking of a child under 15 and had his sentence increased on appeal to 8.5 years, up from the initial 5.5 years handed down by the Basic Criminal Court in Skopje.
Arrest orders, central and international warrants
Dimovski had been under house arrest after posting a €70,000 guarantee and was barred from leaving his place of residence. According to court records, after news of the longer sentence circulated among inmates in the spring, he disappeared before the appellate decision was publicly announced.
"A case has been registered at the Basic Court Veles against the convicted Stefan Dimovski for the continued criminal offense of Trafficking in a child. From the Veles Police (SVR Veles) on 03.04.2026 an order for his apprehension was issued, and after the convicted person was not found, on 08.04.2026 a central arrest warrant was issued and, at the same time, a request to initiate extradition proceedings was submitted. On 21.04.2026 the judge for execution of sanctions delivered a statement to SVR Veles, after which on 04.05.2026 Interpol Skopje issued an international warrant. The procedure is ongoing," Judge Sanja Velevska, spokesperson for the Basic Court Veles, said.
The Veles police currently say they have no information on Dimovski's whereabouts and cannot confirm whether he remains inside the country or has crossed a border, even though his passport was confiscated. Law enforcement agencies have signalled that the search continues.
Authorities also note that sentences for a group of twelve people from Veles involved in the case were increased: combined prison terms rose from a total of 31 years to 50 years. Investigations and the execution process remain active while police pursue leads.
Photo: SDK.MK)
