Mother of Judge Gjoko Ristov testifies on origin of 350,000 euros

Donka Ristova, the mother of appellate judge Gjoko Ristov, testified at the Skopje Criminal Court regarding the origin of 350,000 euros discovered during a search of the family home in Negotino. Ristova claimed the funds were personal savings accumulated through decades of manual labor and agricultural sales, such as peppers, melons, and nuts.

She testified that she hid the money in a small space behind tiles and a work table to serve as a guarantee for her old age. According to her statement, the cash consisted of 250,000 euros in 50-euro notes and 100,000 euros in larger denominations. She explained that her husband exchanged earnings into German marks and later into euros over many years.

The investigation into Judge Ristov stems from a case involving lawyer Fehmi Stafa, who was convicted for attempting to exert unlawful influence on the judge. Prosecutors allege that the 350,000 euros found in the parents' home were not declared and lack documented proof of origin.