The Skopje Appellate Court announced on Monday its decision to reject Nikola Gruevski’s appeal regarding his two-year prison sentence in the “Tank” case, where he was charged for the purchase of an expensive luxurious “Mercedes” worth nearly 600,000 euros.
“Appeals made by the accused N.G. which were put forward by S. himself and his defense attorneys were declined on the basis that they’re unfounded, and the verdict from the first instance will be upheld in full,” reads the statement.
The appeal was partially upheld for the first defendant, former assistant minister in the Ministry of Interior, Gjoko Popovski and his prison sentence was reduced from six and a half years to four and a half years.
The verdict was announced at the Basic Court Skopje 1 on May 23, this year, and the public session for appeals of the two convicted in the Appellate Court was held on September 5, and the court took one month to make its decision.
Former Interior Minister Gordana Jankuloska was also tried in the same case, however, due to her pregnancy, a separate trial for her will be held in spring. Closing statements for this process were held the day before.
