Macedonia summoned Bulgaria’s ambassador after a woman facing trial over a fatal traffic accident appeared in Sofia despite a court order preventing her from leaving the country. The case has triggered a diplomatic dispute between the two Balkan neighbors.
The Foreign Ministry in Skopje summoned Bulgarian Ambassador Zhelyazko Radukov on October 13 over the case of Iva Mihaylova, a 23-year-old woman who holds Macedonian and Bulgarian citizenship.
Mihaylova faces trial in Macedonia over an October 2025 traffic accident that killed one person and injured several others.
Authorities had confiscated her passports and imposed travel restrictions while the legal proceedings continued.
Macedonia Criticizes Bulgaria Over Suspect’s Arrival
Macedonia’s Foreign Ministry criticized the way Bulgarian officials responded to Mihaylova’s arrival in Sofia.
The ministry described reports of a possible high-level reception as a provocation that could damage relations between the two countries.
Officials also argued that foreign citizenship should not protect anyone from legal accountability.
Mihaylova appeared in Bulgaria despite restrictions imposed by a Macedonian court.
Macedonian police said their border records showed no legal departure from the country. Bulgarian border authorities also reported finding no record of her legal entry.
However, Mihaylova and her lawyer claimed they crossed through an official border checkpoint using identification cards.
Her lawyer said she traveled to Bulgaria to receive medical treatment that she could not obtain in Macedonia.
Bulgarian officials said the case involved humanitarian concerns and should not become a political dispute.
Ambassador Radukov also stated that Bulgarian authorities had not formally welcomed Mihaylova upon her arrival.
Macedonian Court Orders Detention as Investigation Continues
The Basic Court in Kočani ordered Mihaylova’s detention for 30 days on October 13 after prosecutors raised concerns that she had violated court restrictions.
Macedonian authorities also requested international assistance to locate and arrest her.
Bulgarian National Television reported on October 14 that Interpol Skopje had submitted a request concerning Mihaylova. However, no Interpol Red Notice had been issued at that time.
The case raises legal questions because Bulgaria generally restricts the extradition of its own citizens, subject to applicable international agreements.
Macedonian Interior Minister Panče Toškovski said investigators were working to determine how Mihaylova crossed the border.
The dispute comes amid longstanding disagreements between Macedonia and Bulgaria over historical and identity issues.
Authorities in both countries have presented different accounts of Mihaylova’s journey, while the criminal proceedings in Macedonia remain unresolved.
