Key points:
- Eight former officials, including a former prime minister, are under investigation for alleged financial misconduct involving state lottery gambling licences
- Police are examining claims of financial damage worth €8.2m, with recent searches conducted at nine locations
- Former Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski and his deputy Artan Grubi are reportedly implicated but have not commented
Authorities in North Macedonia have launched an investigation into eight former senior officials, including a former prime minister, over alleged financial misconduct involving gambling licences issued to the state lottery company under the previous government.
Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski confirmed the inquiry but did not disclose names, stating that those under investigation include a former prime minister, a former deputy prime minister, a former director of a legal entity and a former secretary general – alongside other civil servants tied to a legal entity involved in the case.
Local media reports have identified former Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski, who led the Social Democrat government from 2022 to 2024, and his deputy Artan Grubi as among the officials implicated.
No official statements or arrests have been made in connection with the investigation, and those involved have yet to comment publicly.
Good to know: The investigation comes amid claims of financial damage amounting to approximately €8.2m ($8.61m)
Police recently conducted searches at nine separate locations as part of their inquiry.
The alleged misconduct involves irregularities in gambling licences approved under the administration led by the Social Democrats, now replaced by the conservative VMRO-DPMNE Party following their election victory in May.
The outcome of the investigation is likely to be closely watched, given the high-profile nature of the allegations and the officials involved.
