Defense expert says notes about money hidden in Gjoko Ristov’s parents’ home were written by his mother

At the latest hearing in the trial of accused judge Gjoko Ristov, defense expert Emilio Frishçiq said the handwriting on the notes accompanying the sums found beside the euros concealed in the walls of his parents’ home belonged to the judge’s mother, Donka Ristova.

Prosecutor Iskra Haxhi-Vasileva described the expert analysis as professional, but said it was intended to distract from the fact that the judge’s DNA was found on the foil containing the money.

Ristov’s father-in-law testified that his family had given the couple 70,000 euros to help them buy an apartment. Meanwhile, the defense said it had still been unable to contact the key witness, businessman Ljupço Pecov, known as “The Devil.”

The defense continues to insist that the money belongs to the judge’s mother and that the charges against him are unfounded. (Tv21)