Former Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski granted political asylum in Hungary after fleeing his country

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Publication Date 2018
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Summary:

The former Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski applied for political asylum in Hungary in November 2018, after reports he had fled his country to avoid a prison sentence for corruptions-related charges.

Further information:

Hungary’s government did not initially confirm the asylum request and denied any involvement in supporting Mr Gruevski’s escape from FYR Macedonia. It was unclear how the former Prime Minister had arrived in Hungary, except for reports that he had cross Albanian-Montenegrin border in a diplomatic car. Some reports suggested that Hungarian diplomatic services were involved in transferring Mr Gurevski across the Balkans.

It was later announced that Hungary had accepted the political asylum request submitted by Mr Gruevski, causing a stir amongst opposition parties in the country and also some stakeholders abroad. The announcement took place just as Macedonia requested his extradition.

Mr Gruevski served as Prime Minister between 2006 and 2016. A court in Macedonia issued an arrest warrant on 13 November 2018 after he did not turn up for his prison sentence. Following his escape, an international arrest warrant was issued.

Related Links
Commentary and Analysis
EUObserver, 14.11.18: Asylum for Macedonia's ex-PM puts Orban on spot https://euobserver.com/political/143391
Euro|topics, November 2018: Macedonia's ex-PM applies for asylum in Hungary https://www.eurotopics.net/en/209978/macedonia-s-ex-pm-applies-for-asylum-in-hungary?zitat=209908#zitat209908
Deutsche Welle, 16.11.18: Hungary's Viktor Orban finally welcomes a 'refugee' https://www.dw.com/en/opinion-hungarys-viktor-orban-finally-welcomes-a-refugee/a-46324790
Deutsche Welle, 14.11.18: Macedonian ex-PM escapes jail term, flees to Hungary https://www.dw.com/en/macedonian-ex-pm-escapes-jail-term-flees-to-hungary/a-46298504
EUObserver, 27.11.18: Why is Orban embracing a criminal from Western Balkans? https://euobserver.com/opinion/143489
The Conversation, 29.11.18: Hungary is making a rare exception to its draconian asylum laws – for the disgraced former prime minister of Macedonia https://theconversation.com/hungary-is-making-a-rare-exception-to-its-draconian-asylum-laws-for-the-disgraced-former-prime-minister-of-macedonia-107663

News
EurActiv, 16.11.18: Macedonia’s ex-PM fled in Hungarian diplomatic car https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/macedonian-ex-pm-gruevski-fled-in-hungarian-diplomatic-car/
EurActiv, 14.11.18: Wanted former Macedonian PM seeking asylum in Hungary https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/wanted-former-macedonian-pm-seeking-asylum-in-hungary/
Politico, 15.11.18: US says ex-Macedonian PM who fled to Hungary should face justice https://www.politico.eu/article/nikola-gruevski-ex-macedonian-pm-who-fled-to-hungary-should-face-justice-us-says/
BBC News, 13.11.18: Macedonia ex-PM Nikola Gruevski 'seeks asylum in Hungary' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46198206
Reuters, 15.11.18: Ex-Macedonia PM Gruevski seeking refugee status in Hungary https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-macedonia-hungary-gruevski/ex-macedonia-pm-gruevski-seeking-refugee-status-in-hungary-idUKKCN1NK16R
OCCRP, 23.11.18: Hungary Grants Asylum to Macedonian ex-PM Convicted for Graft https://www.occrp.org/en/daily/8963-hungary-grants-asylum-to-macedonian-ex-pm-convicted-for-graft
Hungary Today, 27.11.18: Opposition MPs Question Orbán About Gruevski Case https://hungarytoday.hu/opposition-mps-question-orban-about-gruevski-case/
Balkan Insight, 14.11.18: Gruevski’s Escape Spells Detention for His Former Associates http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/gruevski-s-escape-brings-detention-for-his-former-associates-11-14-2018
Reuters, 20.11.18: Macedonia ex-prime minister confirms he was granted asylum in Hungary https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN1NP1YZ
Politico, 24.11.18: Hungarian intelligence facilitated escape of former Macedonian leader https://www.politico.eu/article/hungarian-intelligence-facilitated-escape-of-former-macedonian-leader-nikola-gruevski/
Deutsche Welle, 26.11.18: Hungary suspected of helping former Macedonian PM Gruevski escape https://p.dw.com/p/38vzF
The Guardian, 15.11.18: Macedonia's fugitive former PM seeks asylum in Hungary https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/15/nikola-gruevski-macedonia-fugitive-former-pm-seeks-asylum-hungary
EurActiv, 03.12.18: Hungarian opposition denounces Gruevski’s case ‘disgrace’ https://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/hungarian-opposition-denounces-gruevskis-case-disgrace/

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