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North Macedonia judicial proceedings

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-09-01 18:25 UTC → 2026-09-29 14:53 UTC · added removed

Legal proceedings are underway in North Macedonia involving have seen significant developments in two separate high-profile criminal cases. In Kumanovo, the Kumanovo trial of Trajko Bojkovski has progressed with testimony from elderly survivors Bojkovski, the defendant confessed during a hearing at the Basic Court to committing three murders of attacks women. These crimes reportedly took place between January 2025 and February 2026 in the Stara Nagoricana Staro Nagoricane municipality. Witnesses Rosanka Trajkovska and Sllobodka Arsovska provided accounts of physical assaults and attempted sexual assault or strangulation. While Bojkovski claimed his motive was money, the prosecution asserts that the testimonies align with maintains the indictment for four murders killings were driven by sexual and two attempted murders, 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 has requested psychiatric and psychological expert testimony to evaluate requests for a speech therapist or interpreter, ruling the defendant’s mental state and risk of recidivism. In Kočani, defendant understands the Macedonian language. Closing arguments are scheduled for October 6. The trial of Iva Mihailova, a dual Bulgarian-Macedonian citizen, Mihailova in Kočani continues regarding to fuel diplomatic tensions between Bulgaria and North Macedonia. Following 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 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 denied Mihailova’s request to retrieve her identity documents to seek specialized Štip. The courts cited a lack of medical consensus that such treatment for spinal injuries in Bulgaria. Mihailova has stated her physical condition is “deteriorating daily.” 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 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 Mihaylov on charges of attempted murder and organized crime.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-29 14:53 UTC North Macedonia judicial proceedings
  2. 2026-09-01 18:25 UTC North Macedonia judicial proceedings
  3. 2026-08-31 22:42 UTC North Macedonia judicial proceedings
  4. 2026-08-31 20:18 UTC North Macedonia judicial proceedings

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