Fehmi Stafa appeals parole decision in bribery case

Former State Attorney Fehmi Stafa has appealed a decision by the Basic Criminal Court in Skopje regarding his parole. While the court granted him a one-month early release, allowing him to leave prison on February 1, 2027, instead of March 13, 2027, Stafa has challenged this duration through the Appellate Court.

Stafa was previously sentenced to one year and three months in prison after pleading guilty to bribery. He was arrested in December after being caught with 50,000 euros, a portion of a 100,000 euro bribe requested from businessman Ljupcho Petsov to influence an appellate judge.

Additionally, it was reported that Petsov has paid his 8,000 euro fine ahead of the finality of his sentence. Petsov's sentence includes a two-year prison term that will not be executed provided he commits no further criminal offenses within the next five years.