Perparim Bajrami pleads not guilty in State Lottery corruption trial

The trial regarding the “State Lottery” case has proceeded at the Skopje Basic Criminal Court, with former director Perparim Bajrami appearing in court and pleading not guilty. Bajrami, who had been a fugitive for nearly two years, surrendered at the Blace border crossing on September 9 following an international warrant.

Bajrami is the primary defendant in a case involving allegations of abuse of official position and authority. Prosecutors claim that actions taken during 2023 and 2024 caused damages to the State Lottery totaling 596,125,511 denars. The charges involve the unauthorized independent arrangement of electronic games of chance and the procurement of video lottery terminals.

Other defendants include former Deputy Prime Minister Artan Grubi, former Government Secretary General Metodija Dimovski, and five former members of the company’s supervisory board. Most defendants have pleaded not guilty. The court has scheduled the evidentiary phase to begin on September 23, which will involve the reading and explanation of material evidence by the prosecution.