On Monday, US-blacklisted Ramiz Merko, whose term as Struga Mayor is ending, was given a two-year suspended sentence for the illegal appointment of Egzona Shehi as head of Zini Hani Primary School in Velesta.
Shehi herself was given a two-year suspended sentence, too, for serving as Acting Head-teacher with fake documents. If the crime is repeated within two years, a one-year prison sentence will follow, Judge Jordan Jovanov said, citing alleviating circumstances regarding the decision to issue suspended sentences.
Regarding Brakja Miladinovci Primary School, Merko was fined 2,500 euros. Both Merko’s attorney, Igor Petkoski, and Prosecutor Xhemal Lloga voiced dissatisfaction and said they would file appeals.
“I didn’t expect a fine, but considering he’s been given a suspended sentence in the first case, effective imprisonment should have been issued in the second”, Loga noted.
In June, Merko was found not guilty in the case concerning the procurement of an Audi car for the needs of the Municipality, while he was fined 10,000 euros in other cases concerning appointment of school head-teachers.
A procedure against the blacklisted Mayor concerning the illegal placement of a sign on the Struga Municipality’s building is underway, while the trial concerning the lighting of part of the Crn Drim’s riverbed is expected to start in November.