Prosecutors have dramatically dropped charges against a Sydney woman accused of blackmailing her former lover, the Macedonian ambassador to Australia, after their relationship soured.
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Lidija Dumbaloska, 40, was due to stand trial in the ACT Supreme Court on Monday for burglary, theft and blackmail.
But the Crown was forced to abandon the case after statements undermining Pero Stojanovski’s credibility, which were produced in court on Monday, took it by surprise.
A relieved Dumbaloska wept in court when the proceedings were shelved after a day’s legal argument.
But she will still be summonsed to face a minor theft charge in the ACT Magistrates Court at a later date.
Ms Dumbaloska was accused of illegally entering the then ambassador’s Griffith home in December 2010 and taking items including a laptop and receipts.
Mr Stojanovski claimed she then demanded $153,000 and €40,000 for the computer’s return. He told investigators the device held sensitive information about his work with the embassy, including communications with the Macedonian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.
Ms Dumbaloska was arrested on New Year’s Eve after the Australian Federal Police raided her Bankstown home and seized a laptop.
The court has previously heard the pair’s year-long romance broke down in 2010 and Ms Dumbaloska took the items because she suspected Mr Stojanovski was having an affair.
She wanted to end the ambassador’s political career, a court heard in2011.
Court documents said that Ms Dumbaloska made nasty calls to members of Mr Stojanovski’s family and leaked information about his holidays to Macedonian newspapers.
Ms Dumbaloska pleaded not guilty to the charges, arguing she had permission to enter the property and that the possessions were shared.
She was committed to the ACT Supreme Court almost a year ago but her trial stalled after legal wrangling between the Crown and the defence.
Justice Hilary Penfold discharged the indictment and lifted Ms Dumbaloska’s strict bail conditions, which banned her from contacting Mr Stojanovski and international travel.