State Lottery case trial continues today in Skopje as prosecution presents material evidence

The next hearing in the “State Lottery” case will be held today at the Basic Criminal Court in Skopje, where the Public Prosecutor’s Office is expected to continue presenting material evidence. Among those indicted in the proceedings are former First Deputy Prime Minister Artan Grubi and former director of the joint-stock company “State Lottery,” Përparim Bajrami.

During the previous hearing, the prosecution presented documents related to the establishment of a joint venture with a foreign company, decisions taken by the government and financial transactions for the purchase of video lottery terminals (VLTs).

The materials presented to the court also included the work programme of the joint-stock company “State Lottery” for 2023, a contract for work and an assessment prepared by an authorised expert concerning the value and profitability of the investment in video lottery terminals. The case file also contained information submitted to the General Secretariat of the Government regarding the independent organisation of electronic games of chance, accompanied by a market analysis.

The prosecution also presented materials from the government’s 158th session, held on June 6, 2023. These included the proposed agenda, stenographic notes, minutes, the government’s conclusions and the decision approving the operation of the Lottery’s Management Board, as well as the opinion of the Ministry of Finance.

The material evidence also included foreign-currency orders, bank statements from Halkbank, analytical cards for the economic operators “Eurogames tehnoloxhi,” “Sinot” and “Shepdicija MKD,” as well as dozens of forms documenting invoices, accounts and delivery notes for the equipment supplied.

In addition to Artan Grubi and Përparim Bajrami, who had been on the run but later returned and surrendered to the authorities in the country, the defendants in the case also include Bashkim Avdiu, Metodija Dimovski, Skender Mehmeti, Bojan Janev, Fatmir Ramadanovski and Aleksandar Dimitrioski.

According to the indictment, the defendants exceeded their official powers and caused damage to the joint-stock company “State Lottery” amounting to 596,125,511 denars. All the defendants previously stated during the proceedings that they did not consider themselves guilty of the offences attributed to them.