Macedonia's ex-PM seeks asylum in Hungary

Macedonia's former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski has reportedly fled to Hungary after failing to show up to begin a two-year prison sentence.

In a Facebook post, Gruevski said he was in Budapest and had requested "political asylum".

Hungarian authorities have not confirmed his asylum application.

The former premier was due to begin a term in prison for corruption from 9 November but did not surrender himself. Police ordered his arrest on Monday.

Gruevski was forced from office in 2016 over a wire-tapping scandal.

Gruevski's post appeared on Tuesday, although it is not clear if he wrote it.

"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."

Macedonian authorities are reportedly checking the authenticity of the post.

Police began their search for the former premier on Monday after he failed to show up for his prison term.

The Mercedes case for which he was convicted was the first of five cases against the long-serving leader to go to trial. He served as prime minister for a decade.