In the Chain case, Ljupcho Pecov, aka “Gjavolot” (“The Devil”), has been given a two-year suspended prison sentence, an 8,000-euro fine, and a 10-year ban on carrying out activities as a founder or manager of a legal entity. Regarding the verdict, handed down on August 24, 2026, the Criminal Court issued a press release on Thursday, after it had become final and non-appealable due to the absence of filed appeals.
Pecov had been on the run, but surrendered voluntarily, after which he was placed under house arrest due to impaired health. The Chain case, opened toward the end of 2023, covered 26 individuals and 28 companies that created a tax evasion scheme using fictitious VAT invoices, causing damage to the state budget of approximately eight million euros.
Meanwhile, businessperson Stojan Chifligaroski, who is covered by the investigation into the same case, has been detained after presenting himself at the Sveti Naum border crossing.