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Struga Mayor's passport confiscated

Politiko 2024-12-28 15:12:01

Struga Mayor's passport confiscated

The Basic Court in Struga, at the request of the Public Prosecution Office, has confiscated the passport of the Mayor of Struga Municipality, Ramiz Merko, in order to prevent his "escape".

Merko, who is facing several active court proceedings, is now required to appear in court once a week.

The competent public prosecutor of Struga accuses Merko of having, in March of this year, "placed a commemorative sign - plaque at the entrance to the municipal building, with which he incited hatred and ethnic division among the residents of Struga, committing the criminal offense under Article 27 of the Law on Memorials and Monuments", the Prosecution announced on December 28.

According to the Prosecution, Merko, who has long held public positions, is part of several legal procedures opened this year by the Struga Public Prosecution.

In a statement, the Prosecution explained that several charges have been filed against him so far, while eight other court proceedings are underway for criminal offenses such as abuse of official position and authority, as well as irresponsible work in office. Each of these offenses carries a prison sentence.

Based on this situation, the competent prosecutor has assessed that there is a real risk that Merko "will attempt to evade criminal prosecution."

Ramiz Merko, who comes from the ranks of the opposition Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), was declared persona non grata by the US Department of State (DASH) on June 20, 2023.

Washington announced at the time that Merko was barred from entering the United States due to his involvement in significant corruption. The State Department statement said that the mayor of Struga had embezzled funds illegally and interfered in judicial and public processes, damaging citizens' trust in North Macedonia's democratic institutions.

In addition to Merko and his family, a former DUI official, Artan Grubi, who is being prosecuted and is suspected of having fled the country, was recently added to the US blacklist./REL

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