The United States is designating the mayor of the municipality of Struga, North Macedonia, Ramiz Merko, as generally ineligible for entry into the US, due to his involvement in corruption and interference with judicial processes, said the US Department of State.

In December last year a team of American investigators visited North Macedonia to investigate possible cases of corruption involving senior North Macedonian officials, reported Radio Free Europe (RFE).

The US State Department press statement said that Merko misappropriated funds and interfered with judicial and other public processes, damaging the public’s faith in North Macedonia’s democratic institutions and officials.

It added that its action sends a message that the United States stands with North Macedonia to foster stability through the strengthening of democratic institutions and addressing rule of law deficiencies.

This designation reaffirms the commitment of the United States to combat corruption, which harms the public interest, hampers countries’ economic prosperity, and curtails the ability of governments to respond effectively to the needs of their people, said the State Department.

The Department is also designating Merko’s wife and their three adult children as ineligible for entry into the United States, it said.

US Ambassador to Skopje Angela P. Aggeler wrote on Twitter that the people of North Macedonia deserve integrity from their public officials, and a system that will hold them accountable.