U.S. sanctions North Macedonian politician Artan Grubi over corruption allegations

On Monday, the U.S. Department of State publicly designated Artan Grubi, former Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia, and Enver Behxheti, a Court of Appeals judge, due to their involvement in significant corruption. The State Department accused both individuals of accepting bribes to manipulate judicial processes related to the criminal conviction of Sasho Mijalkov, the former head of North Macedonia’s security and counterintelligence agency. As a result, Grubi and Behxheti are now ineligible for entry into the United States.

Why is it important: These sanctions are part of a larger US strategy to address corruption, particularly in the Western Balkans where it poses a threat to stability and democratic institutions. This action against Grubi highlights the growing international scrutiny of political elites in Southeastern Europe.

The context: The Sasho Mijalkov case has led to the judiciary in North Macedonia being continuously targeted by criticism from the European Union and the United States.

The Skopje Criminal Court sentenced Sasho Mijalkov to 12 years in prison on February 26, 2021, for offenses including “criminal association,” “illegal wiretapping,” and “destruction of wiretapping equipment.” He also received a three-year sentence for the illegal acquisition of land on Skopje’s tourist mountain, Vodno, and a two-year sentence on March 8, 2019, for electoral fraud.

However, several initial rulings have been overturned by the Court of Appeal and sent back for retrial. In addition, two of his cases risk becoming statute-barred, potentially allowing him to avoid serving those sentences altogether.

The designation of Artan Grubi and Enver Bexheti is evidence of political interference in these judicial processes. 

The US Ambassador in North Macedonia stated that the decision of US authorities demonstrates that ‘political interference in the judiciary cannot – and will not – be tolerated. No one is above the law, and accountability is essential for progress’.

In a Facebook post, Artan Grubi stated that he learned about the U.S. State Department’s decision through media reports and firmly denied any involvement in corruption. “As someone who has dedicated my public life to upholding Western democratic values and tirelessly worked toward North Macedonia’s integration into NATO and the European Union, this decision profoundly impacts me on a personal level,” Grubi wrote.