Macedonian Private TV Owner Arrested for Tax Crimes

Velija Ramkovski, owner of the private Macedonian TV channel A1, has been arrested on suspicions of ties with organized crime and money laundering. Photo by balkanisight.com

Macedonian police have arrested the owner of the private TV channel A1, Velija Ramkovski, on suspicion of having committed serious financial crimes, the Bulgarian National Radio, BNR, reports Friday.

TV Director Aneta Kochishki and 10 directors of several businesses, owned by Ramkovski, have also been detained.

Macedonian media and police reported the arrests were made on suspicions of ties with organized crime and money laundering.

A month ago, the TV channel and the other companies belonging to Ramkovski underwent a thorough tax audit.

Once seen as close ally of the VMRO DPMNE party of Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Ramkovski recently claimed the ruling party was looking for excuses to shut down A1 and put him in jail after his media outlets started criticizing the government.

The Macedonian opposition already accused Gruevski of attacking independent media in the country.

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