FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
While the new government of Peter Magyar warns that Hungary will no longer be a haven for convicted politicians, Hungarian media reveal that Nikola Gruevski has been securing a passport for years that could protect him from returning to Skopje.
When Peter Magyar won the elections in Hungary, one of his strongest messages was that the country would no longer serve as a haven for convicted or wanted politicians. Among the names he mentioned was that of the former Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Nikola Gruevski, who has been living in Budapest since 2018 after a spectacular escape from his country.
Magyar's statements sparked hopes in Skopje that after seven years the way could be opened for Gruevski's extradition, so the North Macedonian Ministry of Justice resumed the procedures and requested the necessary documentation from the courts to prepare a new request.
But a new development seems to be able to completely change the situation.
Hungarian investigative portal VSquare, citing sources within the Hungarian government, reported that Nikola Gruevski has received Hungarian citizenship as of 2022, based on what it describes as "Hungarian state interest."
According to Hungarian media, Gruevski continues to live in Budapest and his new legal status makes his extradition to North Macedonia almost impossible.
" Gruevski's position is much more secure. Political asylum can be revoked, but citizenship is a completely different matter and much more difficult to revoke ," the media say.
The news has caused reactions in Skopje. The Ministry of Justice stated that it is closely following the reports, but stressed that despite any unofficial information, Gruevski remains a citizen of North Macedonia and subject to final judicial decisions.
" The Ministry of Justice is closely monitoring the published information regarding the claims that Nikola Gruevski has acquired Hungarian citizenship. Despite speculation and unofficial information, Nikola Gruevski remains a citizen of the Republic of North Macedonia and a person subject to final court decisions and active proceedings ," the official response states.
The institution added that the procedure for his extradition continues and that Macedonian authorities will take all legal and diplomatic steps in communication with Hungary.
Gruevski fled North Macedonia in November 2018, shortly before he was due to begin serving a prison sentence for corruption. His escape route took him through Albania, Montenegro and Serbia, before arriving in Budapest, where Viktor Orbán's government granted him political asylum.
Since his departure, Gruevski has been sentenced to several other court decisions, with sentences totaling more than 10 years in prison. He was convicted in the “Tank”, “Violence in the Center” and “Plots in Vodno” cases, where he was found guilty of corruption and money laundering.
Meanwhile, according to Hungarian media, the former Macedonian prime minister has built a new life in Budapest. In 2021, he founded the consulting company "ICIC Kf", which continues its activity and, according to financial documents, has generated regular income in recent years.
The revelation that Gruevski may have obtained Hungarian citizenship poses a difficult political test for the new government of Peter Magyar. If earlier promises to return politicians in exile in Hungary seemed feasible, Gruevski's case may prove much more complex.
For now, Skopje insists that extradition proceedings are continuing. But the Hungarian passport may be the biggest obstacle ever faced by the attempt to bring the former prime minister back to face Macedonian justice. / Pamphlet
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