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[INTERNATIONAL] · Bulgaria, North Macedonia · 17 sources

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Iva Mihaylova case sparks diplomatic tension between Bulgaria and North Macedonia

The presence of Iva Mihaylova in Bulgaria has triggered a diplomatic dispute between North Macedonia and Bulgaria. North Macedonian authorities have issued a nationwide and international search warrant for Mihaylova, following a court decision in Kočani that found she violated a ban on leaving the city and the country. Interpol Skopje has requested her arrest and extradition.

Bulgarian Border Police Director Anton Zlatanov stated that there is no record of Mihaylova crossing through Bulgarian-Macedonian border control points, despite her and her lawyer's claims that she entered using both her Macedonian and Bulgarian identification. Zlatanov noted that an investigation is ongoing but maintained that Bulgarian authorities have not committed any violations.

Mihaylova is currently a patient at Pirogov Hospital in Sofia, where she is undergoing specialized medical examinations to clarify her health condition.

North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski has criticized Bulgaria, claiming the country is serving as a 'haven for convicted criminals,' and intends to raise the issue with NATO and the European Union. Conversely, Bulgarian Ambassador to North Macedonia Zhelyazko Radukov expressed surprise at the situation, suggesting that Mihaylova might have bypassed surveillance measures, and noted that the Bulgarian embassy had been providing legal and consular assistance to her.

Entities

Anton Zlatanov · European Union · Hristijan Mickoski · Interpol · Iva Mihaylova · NATO · North Macedonia · Pirogov Hospital · Zhelyazko Radukov

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