Merko Trials: Judge Jovanov Hopes Cases will have been Finished by June

On Thursday, there were new hearings in the frames of trials in which US-blacklisted Struga Mayor Merko is charged with unlawful appointment of school head-teachers.

However, the process concerning Zini Hani Primary School in Velesta was postponed because the witness was absent. In that case, Merko and four others are charged with abuse of office and falsification, i.e. Head-teacher Egzona Shej is charged also with falsification of degrees.

Attorney Dimitrija Coboski said that first, proceedings should be initiated against those that had falsified the document, adding that Shej’s defence would prove there was no crime in the case. Judge Jordan Jovanov stated that hoped that the cases concerning the schools would have finished by June.