Opposition calls for extraordinary audit on Gruevski asylum case

Opposition Democratic Coalition is calling on the State Audit Office (ASZ) to carry out an extraordinary audit that establishes the costs of Hungary assisting former Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski flee from his country.

Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has admitted that Gruevski, who had been sentenced to prison on corruption charges in his home country, was assisted by Hungarian diplomats to flee across the Balkans, DK group spokesman Zsolt Greczy said.

According to press reports, at least four Hungarian diplomats and two vehicles were used in the operation, he added. DK would like to know who approved the costs of such an operation, he said.

The Hungarian government denies that it played a role in Gruevski’s escape from Macedonia.

Gruevski held office between 2006 and 2016. An arrest warrant was issued on November 12 after he had failed to start a two-year prison sentence for corruption. He announced on his Facebook page two days later that he was in Budapest and has submitted a request for political asylum.

An international arrest warrant was issued in Skopje on the same day and he announced a week later on his public media page that he had received the asylum status in Hungary.

ASZ responded by saying that it is independent of all other organisations and does not carry out the orders of political parties or any other organisation.

ASZ said in a statement that it conducts its audits based on a predetermined and publicly available biannual audit schedule.

It said it was only obliged to change that schedule based on a decision of parliament.

The office added, however, that it takes reports and calls for audits into consideration and incorporates them into its risk analysis when planning its audits.

Featured image: www.facebook.com/NGruevski

Source: MTI