English
The case of Iva Mihajlova, who faces charges in connection with a fatal traffic accident, has escalated into a diplomatic dispute between Macedonia and Bulgaria. Mihajlova is currently in Bulgaria, and Bulgarian authorities have stated that they cannot extradite her due to legal and constitutional restrictions regarding the handover of their own citizens. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski has announced that he intends to raise the matter with NATO and the European Union.
The proceedings against Mihajlova stem from a serious traffic accident that occurred on the Kočani–Štip road on October 7, 2025. A 33-year-old man died in the head-on collision between two vehicles, and several other people sustained injuries. The prosecution alleges that Mihajlova was driving at an excessive speed and veered into the oncoming lane. Mihajlova and her defense team dispute this, claiming that the other vehicle entered her lane while attempting to maneuver around a stationary police vehicle. Mihajlova herself also sustained serious injuries in the accident. As the case is still before the courts, the charges have not yet been definitively established by a final legal ruling. Court Denies Permission for Medical Treatment in Bulgaria
Mihajlova had her Macedonian and Bulgarian passports confiscated, and the court imposed measures restricting her ability to leave the country. Her defense team requested the temporary return of her passports so she could travel to Bulgaria for medical treatment, arguing that the necessary care for her spinal injury could not be obtained in Macedonia.
The Basic Court in Kočani rejected the request, and the Appellate Court in Štip upheld this decision on August 20. The Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently criticized the ruling, stating that she had been denied access to necessary medical treatment outside of Macedonia.
In October, Mihajlova appeared in Sofia. She and her Bulgarian lawyer, Nikolay Dimitrov, claimed that they crossed the border legally, passing through an official border checkpoint with valid identification documents. The Macedonian Ministry of Interior (MIA), however, stated that there is no record of Mihajlova exiting Macedonia in their system. Furthermore, checks conducted via the joint contact center revealed that the Bulgarian Border Police also had no record of her legal entry into Bulgaria.
The Ministry of Interior also reported that Mihajlova’s last recorded entry into Bulgaria took place in September 2025, while her entry into Macedonia was recorded in October of the same year. The circumstances and the specific method by which she subsequently reached Bulgaria are currently under investigation. The absence of a recorded border crossing does not, in itself, establish how her departure took place.
On October 13, the Basic Court in Kočani ordered her detention for 30 days and issued an arrest warrant. Macedonian authorities requested an international search, arrest, and extradition. Citing their own national legislation and the Constitution, Bulgarian authorities stated that they could not hand her over, as she holds Bulgarian citizenship. They also noted that no Interpol Red Notice had been issued.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Macedonia summoned the Bulgarian Ambassador for discussions, expressing dissatisfaction regarding the manner in which Mihajlova was received in Bulgaria. The Ministry asserted that nationality and dual citizenship should not serve as a shield against legal accountability. According to TV21, the Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs denied any involvement by Bulgarian authorities in her departure.
Mickoski stated that Macedonian institutions are investigating the roles of all those involved and that some of the gathered evidence will be presented to NATO allies. He announced that the issue would also be raised with EU partners, while emphasizing that Macedonia remains committed to the European integration process. In the Prime Minister’s statements regarding the case, mention is also made of Mihajlova’s father, Simeon Mihajlov, who is currently in Bulgaria; the Macedonian authorities are seeking his return to the country. He has been definitively sentenced to 12 and a half years in prison for attempted murder, criminal association, and violence, reported “Sakam da kažam”.