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[INTERNATIONAL] · Bulgaria, North Macedonia · 38 sources

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Iva Mihajlova extradition dispute strains North Macedonia-Bulgaria relations

A diplomatic and legal standoff has emerged between North Macedonia and Bulgaria regarding the extradition of Iva Mihajlova. Mihajlova is accused of serious offenses following a fatal traffic accident in Kočani on 7 October 2025. Although North Macedonia has issued an international arrest warrant and a 30-day detention order, the extradition process is currently stalled due to bureaucratic procedures.

North Macedonian officials, including Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, claim Mihajlova illegally left the country despite court-imposed restrictions, such as the seizure of her passport. Mickoski has criticized the Bulgarian government, suggesting that Bulgaria could become a sanctuary for criminals and has threatened to raise the issue with NATO and the European Union. Conversely, Mihajlova’s legal team maintains she crossed the border legally using valid identity documents.

Bulgarian authorities have stated they have not taken steps to locate her within Bulgaria, and legal experts note that Bulgarian law allows the state to refuse the extradition of its own citizens. Meanwhile, the North Macedonian Ministry of Justice is awaiting official notification from Bulgaria to proceed with formal extradition requests. The case has also drawn criticism from the political opposition in North Macedonia, which alleges a coordinated effort to damage the current government.

Entities

Alexander Nikoloski · Bulgaria · Hristijan Mickoski · Iva Mihailova · Iva Mihajlova · Kočani · Ministry of Interior of Bulgaria · Ministry of Internal Affairs of North Macedonia · Ministry of Justice of North Macedonia · North Macedonia · Sasho Klekovski · Sašo Klekovski

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