VLEN demands update on 'Lottery' indictment for Artan Grubi; DUI warns of political pressure
VLEN says nearly six months passed since house arrest for Artan Grubi and asks why there is no indictment; DUI accuses the ruling party of exerting political pressure on prosecutors.
Ruling VLEN and opposition DUI traded accusations after VLEN demanded to know why prosecutors have not filed an indictment in the so‑called "Lottery" case against former deputy prime minister Artan Grubi. VLEN says almost six months have passed since Grubi was placed under house arrest and notes that the deadline expires on 22 August, calling on the Prosecutor's Office to publicly explain the status of the investigation.
VLEN says the investigation has stalled and suggests a possible explanation in sharp terms, calling Grubi "the black box of DUI" because of the information he allegedly holds about past party decisions and deals. From the party came the question: "Has Artan Grubi opened his mouth, started to sing, and is that why the whole case is being dragged out?"
In its public statement VLEN demanded clarity from prosecutors and urged them not to conceal the reasons for the delay. "VLEN demands that the Prosecutor's Office stop playing hide-and-seek with justice and publicly say why there is still no indictment in the 'Lottery' case, where the proceedings got stuck and whether it has taken any action on the findings of the US authorities," the party said.
DUI: public accusations equal political pressure
DUI responded that such public calls on the Prosecutor's Office amount to direct political pressure on judicial institutions and stressed that courts and prosecutors must act independently. "The Prosecutor's Office and the courts must decide based on evidence, not on political and party directives. Selective partisan justice is not needed by citizens or by North Macedonia," the party said.
According to DUI, the party also informed representatives of the international community about its concerns, including about VLEN's latest statement. DUI added: "Prosecutors carry responsibility and must decide based on law, evidence and expert assessments, not on party orders and wishes." The dispute leaves the public debate focused on whether political actors are influencing the timing and direction of the legal process.
Photo: press material from the event
