Macedonia's justice faces pressure as SDSM demands Gruevski extradition and prosecutor stops €167m case

The Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) has called for the immediate transmission of extradition documents for former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski to Hungarian authorities, accusing the government of protecting him through silence and warning that the delay undermines law and statehood. The Ministry of Justice said that the necessary steps are being taken in line with national laws and international agreements.

Separately, Islam Abazi, head of the Judicial Prosecutor's Office (JOK), halted a criminal investigation into an alleged €167 million fraud linked to a fuel purchase for the Negotino power plant. Opposition parties claim the decision shields SDSM and Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) figures from accountability and have demanded Abazi's resignation, alleging political interference in the prosecution of a high‑profile corruption case.