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3 clusters · 41 sources · 29 days · First seen about 2 months ago · Last updated 29 days ago

North Macedonia judicial proceedings

Overview

Legal proceedings in North Macedonia have seen significant developments in two high-profile criminal cases.

In the Kumanovo trial of Trajko Bojkovski, the defendant confessed during a hearing at the Basic Court to committing three murders of women. These crimes reportedly took place between January 2025 and February 2026 in the Staro Nagoricane municipality. While Bojkovski claimed his motive was money, the prosecution maintains the killings were driven by sexual and necrophilic impulses. Forensic psychiatrist Stojan Bajraktarov testified that Bojkovski showed no signs of mental illness and appeared “calculating” during the crimes. The court rejected defense requests for a speech therapist or interpreter, ruling the defendant understands the Macedonian language. Closing arguments are scheduled for October 6.

The trial of Iva Mihailova in Kočani continues to fuel diplomatic tensions between Bulgaria and North Macedonia. Following a fatal October 2025 car accident, Mihailova’s requests to retrieve her identity documents for urgent spinal treatment in Bulgaria were denied by both the Basic Court in Kočani and the Appeals Court in Štip. The courts cited a lack of medical consensus that such treatment could not be provided within North Macedonia.

Bulgarian officials and MPs have criticized the judiciary, and President Iliana Jotova has indicated she will raise the matter with the Council of Europe. Mihailova’s father, Simeon Mihaylov, has alleged the prosecution is politically motivated due to her Bulgarian identity. North Macedonian authorities have issued an international arrest warrant for Simeon Mihaylov on charges of attempted murder and organized crime.

Entities

Trajko Bojkovski · Ljubomir Lape · Kumanovo Basic Court · Basic Court Kumanovo · Iliana Jotova

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Coverage disagrees

Sources make claims that cannot both be true. CLSTR reports the disagreement; it does not decide who is right.

"Bojkovski stated that his motive for the crimes was money."

vs

"The prosecution alleges the crimes were driven by sexual and necrophilic impulses."

The defendant's stated motive was money, whereas the prosecution alleges the motive was sexual and necrophilic impulses.

[DISPUTED] Bojkovski stated that his motive for the crimes was money.
[DISPUTED] The prosecution alleges the crimes were driven by sexual and necrophilic impulses.
[● 9 SOURCES] The accident resulted in one death and several injuries, including to Mihailova.
[● 8 SOURCES] Trajko Bojkovski confessed to committing three murders of women during a court hearing in Kumanovo.
[● 8 SOURCES] The defendant is accused of four murders and two attempted murders.
[● 8 SOURCES] Forensic psychiatrist Stojan Bajraktarov testified that no mental illness was found in the defendant.
[● 7 SOURCES] Iva Mihailova is accused of serious crimes against traffic safety following an accident in October 2025.
[● 6 SOURCES] The Basic Court in Kočani denied Mihailova's request to return her identity documents for medical treatment in Bulgaria.
[● 5 SOURCES] Bulgarian MPs from GERB, Progressive Bulgaria, and Democratic Bulgaria attended the court hearing.
[● 5 SOURCES] The murders took place between January 2025 and February 2026.
[● 5 SOURCES] The court denied the defense's request to provide the defendant with a speech therapist or interpreter.
[● 5 SOURCES] Trajko Bojkovski expressed remorse for his crimes during the hearing.

Timeline

29 days ago

[CRIME] 24 sources
Trajko Bojkovski confesses to three murders in Kumanovo trial
Trajko Bojkovski confessed to three murders of elderly women in North Macedonia, claiming money as his motive while denying necrophilic impulses alleged by prosecutors.
about 2 months ago

[CRIME] 2 sources
Trajko Bojkovski trial: Elderly survivors testify in Kumanovo
In a Kumanovo court, elderly survivors testified against Trajko Bojkovski, who is accused of four murders and two attempted murders of women in North Macedonia.
about 2 months ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 16 sources
Iva Mihailova trial sparks diplomatic tension between Bulgaria and North Macedonia
The trial of dual citizen Iva Mihailova for a fatal 2025 accident has sparked diplomatic tension between Bulgaria and North Macedonia following court denials of her request for medical treatment in Bulgaria.

Sources

bgvoice.com · breaking.bg · emedjimurje.net.hr · espreso.co.rs · europeanwesternbalkans.com · eventbrite.co.uk · expres.mk · glas-slavonije.hr · glasistre.hr · index.hr · informacijecrnagora.me · juznevesti.com · kanal77.mk · koha.mk · kurir.rs · libertas.mk · n1info.hr · ogportal.com · oslobodjenje.ba · panoptikum.mk · petel.bg · press24.mk · prigorski.hr · radiosarajevo.ba · ruse.news · safenews.bg · sdk.mk · singaporememory.sg · sitel.com.mk · skopje1.mk · slovenskenovice.si · tetovasot.com · trafficnews.bg · tribuna.mk · utrinskivesnik.mk · vecer.mk · viaranews.com · vijesti.hrt.hr · zadarskilist.hr · zhurnal.mk · zurnal.mk

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history