Former Director of the Geriatric Clinic in Skopje Muhsin Arifi and his associate Blerim Amiti were found guilty of abuse of office in the Geriatric case. The verdict was announced Wednesday, with the court sentencing Muhsin Arifi to four years in prison, and his associate to one year and ten months.
Prosecutor Iskra Hadzi-Vasileva voiced satisfaction with the verdict, while defense lawyer Skender Mehmedi announced that the defense will file an appeal, arguing that the court had not taken into consideration the behavior of the defendants and the time they have spent in detention.
Muhsin Arifi was charged after he asked for bribery of EUR 20,000 in order to use his influence and provide accommodation for an older woman at the Geriatric Clinic, while his associate Amiti acted as a mediator between him and a relative of the woman.