Ex-Macedonian PM seeks asylum in Hungary

Macedonia's Interior Ministry confirmed on Tuesday that former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski had requested "political asylum" in Hungary.

The former premier was due to begin a two-year prison term for corruption charges but did not surrender.

The ministry released a statement saying that they have confirmed he is in Hungary and had requested political asylum.

The Macedonian Foreign Ministry has summoned Hungarian envoy Laszlo Istvan Dux, according to a statement.

In a Facebook post Gruevski wrote he was in Budapest.

"In the last few days I have received countless threats to my life. I am in Budapest now, and I have asked for political asylum from the Hungarian authorities. I will always remain true to the cause of Macedonia. I will never give up," he said.