Lottery trial: absent witness to be questioned next week; prosecutors defend indictment

A witness the prosecution had proposed did not appear at today’s session in the "Lottery" trial; prosecutors said the person will be examined next week.

During cross-examination of another witness, prosecutors said there is a criminal complaint filed with the Ministry of Interior and an ongoing pre-investigation that covers three separate proceedings. They are also probing why the proposed witness altered his earlier statement to the Prosecutor’s Office.

Aleksandar Davchevski, prosecutor, said: "Part of that procedure is still not closed, because it is a complex criminal report filed by the Ministry of Interior, it concerns three proceedings. He was questioned at the Prosecutor's Office as a suspect. He was proposed as a witness in the part concerning the purchases of the VLT machines, and for reasons known to him he decided to change the statement he had given at the Prosecutor's Office. We have no information whether he was influenced in any way up to this moment. That part is being investigated, we are undertaking some actions in that direction."

Prosecution: case rests on documentary evidence

Prosecutors argued the indictment remains supported by material documents and that witness testimony serves to connect those documents to the facts under scrutiny.

Aleksandar Davchevski, prosecutor, said: "The second witness had several key points important for the case, although this is a case based on material documentation as evidence. But witnesses provide some links to those material proofs. The second witness had several key points which I consider go in favor of the defense's theory... We do not agree with the claim that the second witness said nothing."

First accused in the case, former State Lottery director Perparim Bajrami, is currently held in the prison in Shuto Orizari after more than a year on the run and an international arrest warrant; he surrendered to authorities at the Blace border crossing. The second accused, former deputy prime minister Artan Grubi, was released from house arrest one week ago.

The "Lottery" trial will resume tomorrow.

Photo: press material from the event