Djoko Ristov corruption case expands to 1.5 million euros

An investigation into Appellate Judge Djoko Ristov has expanded from the discovery of 350,000 euros hidden in a wall in Negotino to a broader corruption case involving approximately 1.5 million euros. Financial forensics presented in court suggest that Ristov, his wife, and his parents controlled funds totaling 1.5 million euros, though the defense maintains the disputed amount is closer to 570,000 euros.

The case originated following the arrest of former state attorney Fehmi Stafa in December 2025, who was accused of seeking 100,000 euros to influence a judge at the Skopje Appellate Court. Stafa subsequently pleaded guilty and received a 15-month prison sentence.

During recent proceedings, prosecutors revealed that Ristov’s phone contacts included several prominent political and business figures, such as Bojan Jovanovski (Boki 13), Ana Kamcheva, and Ismail Jahoski. While the prosecution noted that the mere presence of these names in his contact list does not constitute evidence of communication, they emphasized that such connections warrant ethical and legal scrutiny given the corruption charges.