North Macedonia: Former Deputy PM Artan Grubi Arrested for Embezzlement

Former Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Artan Grubi, has been arrested on charges of embezzling 8 million euros.

Artan Grubi was apprehended at the Blace border crossing, on the border with Kosovo. The charges relate to embezzlement from the state lottery's supplies.

Grubi had fled the country in December 2024, shortly before criminal charges were filed against him. He was allegedly located between Albania and Kosovo during that time.

The State Department had placed him on a "blacklist" that same month, banning him from entering the United States due to involvement in corruption cases.

Artan Grubi is from the "Democratic Union for Integration" (DUI) and served as Deputy Prime Minister from August 2020 to June 2024.

Corruption among state officials remains a systemic problem in North Macedonia, according to international reports.