English
The assistant department director of the Customs Bureau, who is arrested on suspicion of accepting a bribe of 17,500 EUR, attempted to flee during the police operation earlier this week. The Interior Ministry today released more details about the arrest, including the fact that he struck a police officer and an official police vehicle with his car.
The individual in question is 63-year-old J.I. from the village of Sipkovica near Tetovo. According to information from the Ministry of Interior and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, he is suspected of repeatedly soliciting a total of 17,500 euros from a citizen—who subsequently reported the matter—between April and September 2026. A meeting was arranged for September 10, during which the suspect allegedly accepted the requested 17,500 euros before driving toward Tetovo.
Police officers attempted to stop him near the Zelino paytoll station, but he failed to stop. According to the police statement, he struck a police officer and an official police vehicle with his car and continued to flee. While fleeing, he threw a bag containing the previously accepted money out of the passenger-side window.