Struga former mayor Ramiz Merko faces criminal charges

North Macedonian police have filed criminal charges against former Struga Mayor Ramiz Merko and two municipal employees for suspected misconduct in service. The investigation alleges that during his mandate, Merko failed to exercise mandatory oversight and unlawfully signed a construction permit for a cadastral parcel in the village of Misleshovë.

The two other individuals, identified as A. B. (40) and N. R. (57), are accused of preparing the permit in violation of the Law on Construction using incomplete documentation and without an attached conceptual design. The case will be processed by competent authorities, though the suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty by a final judicial decision.

This incident follows previous legal proceedings involving Merko, including a 10,000 euro fine regarding school director appointments and past investigations concerning the purchase of a luxury vehicle and riverbed lighting.