US-blacklisted Skopje Court of Appeals Judge Enver Bexheti has returned to work after his annual leave and continued to perform his regular job obligations. As the Court has explained, the Judge’s status hasn’t changed, that is, he is in charge of misdemeanour cases, in line with the Annual Plan for 2025.
According to Kanal 5 information, though there are several procedures against him within the Judicial Council, there’s been no official confirmation that that is the case, nor is it known what those procedures concern.
However, if it’s about the Target-Fortress case, that is, the material that Bexheti kept in a drawer for more than nine months, journalist Vasko Maglesov assesses, the Council’s hands will be tied because the body already took action over that issue, that is, Bexheti was punished by being paid 80% of his salary over a six-month period. The journalist believes Bexheti withdrawing himself and resigning would be the best solution to the situation.
“I expect that, perhaps, public pressure and the pressure that still exists, may change the Judge’s mind and that he will resign in the months ahead. However, knowing judge culture in our country, if that happens, it will honestly be a surprise”, Maglesov stresses.
When it comes to its pre-investigation against Bexheti and ex-Deputy PM Artan Grubi, opened after they had been blacklisted last month, the Prosecutor’s Office says activities are already underway.
“However, due to the secrecy of the procedure, we cannot reveal details”, it points out.
The institution nonetheless explains that all aspects concerning the possibility of influence peddling, but also bribery, are being checked, which will be followed by a proper decision.
On 9 December, Grubi and Bexheti were designated for, as the State Department said, their involvement in significant corruption by accepting bribes to undermine judicial processes tied to the criminal conviction” of the former head of the Security and Counterintelligence Administration, head, Saso Mijalkov.