# North Macedonia judicial proceedings

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/north-macedonia-judicial-proceedings
> Updated: 2026-08-31T16:26:56.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 2.

Legal proceedings are underway in North Macedonia involving two separate high-profile criminal cases.

In Kumanovo, the trial of Trajko Bojkovski has progressed with testimony from elderly survivors of attacks in the Stara Nagoricana municipality. Witnesses Rosanka Trajkovska and Sllobodka Arsovska provided accounts of physical assaults and attempted sexual assault or strangulation. While the prosecution asserts that the testimonies align with the indictment for four murders and two attempted murders, the defense has requested psychiatric and psychological expert testimony to evaluate the defendant’s mental state and risk of recidivism.

In Kočani, the trial of Iva Mihailova, a dual Bulgarian-Macedonian citizen, continues regarding a fatal October 2025 car accident. The case has escalated into a significant diplomatic dispute between Sofia and Skopje. Bulgarian officials, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of parliament from parties such as GERB and Progressive Bulgaria, have criticized the North Macedonian judiciary after the Basic Court in Kočani and the Appeals Court in Štip denied Mihailova’s request to retrieve her identity documents to seek specialized medical treatment for spinal injuries in Bulgaria. Mihailova has stated her physical condition is “deteriorating daily.”

Bulgarian President Iliana Jotova has indicated she will raise the matter with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Amidst the tension, Mihailova’s father, Simeon Mihaylov, has alleged the prosecution is politically motivated due to her Bulgarian identity. Separately, North Macedonian authorities have issued an international arrest warrant for Simeon Mihaylov, who is accused of attempted murder and organized crime.

## Claims

- The Basic Court in Kočani denied Mihailova's request to return her identity documents for medical treatment in Bulgaria. (disputed by 6 sources)
- The accident resulted in one death and several injuries, including to Mihailova. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- Iva Mihailova is accused of serious crimes against traffic safety following an accident in October 2025. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Bulgarian MPs from GERB, Progressive Bulgaria, and Democratic Bulgaria attended the court hearing. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Bulgarian President Iliana Jotova announced she would raise the issue with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Expert Zoran Joševski stated that Mihailova's vehicle entered the oncoming lane by approximately 90 centimeters. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The trial is scheduled to continue on September 28. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-31: 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.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trajko-bojkovski-trial-elderly-survivors-testify-in-kumanovo

### 2026-08-31: 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.

16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/iva-mihaylova-seeks-medical-leave-amid-north-macedonia-trial

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Cite as: North Macedonia judicial proceedings. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/north-macedonia-judicial-proceedings