Simeon Mihaylov wanted in North Macedonia spotted in Bulgaria

Simeon Mihaylov, who is wanted by North Macedonia under an international Interpol warrant, has been spotted in Sofia, Bulgaria. Mihaylov faces a 12.5-year prison sentence for an attempted murder and involvement in an organized crime group known as ‘Detonator’ in the Kočani region.

North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski has called on Bulgaria to honor international agreements and extradite Mihaylov to face justice. However, Bulgarian authorities state that extradition procedures cannot begin until the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior officially notifies North Macedonia that the individual has been located and detained.

Mihaylov has denied the charges, claiming his conviction was politically motivated and intended to seize his business assets. He also alleged that public attention on his criminal record is a tactic to distract from the legal proceedings involving his daughter, Iva Mihaylova, who is facing trial in Kočani following a fatal traffic accident.