Lawyer Jovica Straševski, the defender of Ljupčo Palevski - Palčo, is asking the Appellate Court to quash the first-instance verdict sentencing his client to life in prison for the kidnapping and murder of 14-year-old Vanja Gjorčevska and 70-year-old Pančе Žežovski. He claims over 50 fundamental procedural violations were made during the first-instance proceedings.

Palevski is not alone. Velibor Manev, Bore Videvski and Vlatko Kešišev were also sentenced to life. All four have filed appeals. All four want a retrial.

The defence arguments - much of the evidence „was not properly considered" in the first-instance proceedings. They have a different reading of the facts. They cite „inconsistencies" between the witness testimony, the indictment and the verdict. They raise questions about Palevski's movements on the critical day. They raise questions about the role of Vanja's father - Aleksandar Gjorčevski.

It is around Gjorčevski that the biggest legal battle is unfolding. He was acquitted in the first-instance verdict. Now the prosecution has appealed - they want him convicted. They argue he had „a key role from the first to the second act" of the crimes. According to the prosecution, he shared sensitive information about his daughter's daily routines, and his behaviour after her disappearance was „suspicious".

The defence does not agree. Lawyer Vladimir Tufegdžić, who represents Gjorčevski, sent a brief sentence to the public: „The verdict is correct and lawful." He says there is no evidence of communication between the father and the convicted perpetrators.

For the Macedonian public this is a case that has not left the media space since 2023. Two murders, of a child and a pensioner within a week, tested the institutions like few cases have in the last 20 years. Now, two and a half years later, the Appellate Court has a chance to close one drawn-out story - or to open another. Vanja's and Pančе's families are waiting for the decision. And not only their families.