site.btaUPDATED Ex-PM Ljubcho Georgievski Testifies in Bitola Court in Case against Ivan Mihailov Association Chair

The former Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia, Ljubcho Georgievski, appeared before the Basic Court in Bitola as a witness in the case against the chairman of the Ivan Mihailov Cultural Center association, Ljupcho Georgievski.

In his testimony, Ljubcho Georgievski stated that he had offered to testify voluntarily, after it became clear that the case was essentially "judging the historical figure Ivan Mihailov."

In response to questions from the defense, Ljubcho Georgievski said that Ivan Mihailov was neither a fascist nor anti-Semitic, and that he had never been convicted in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, in the Republic of (North) Macedonia, or in Italy, where he lived during the last years of his life.

He explained that his motivation to testify stemmed from what he sees as a double standard by the prosecution: that Ivan Mihailov is being judged for something that happened 80 years ago, while events related to the Serbian occupation are commemorated in North Macedonia without provoking any reaction.

The former Prime Minister was the last witness in the trial of Ljubcho Georgievski who was charged with inciting racial and ethnic hatred and xenophobia after posting on Facebook Ivan Mihailov quotes.

The judge took a half-hour break that was followed by the closing arguments of the prosecution and the defence. Both said that they have proven their case.

The court has eight days to announce the judgment.

Georgievski went on trial in 2023 following a tipoff from the commission for prevention of and protection against discrimination, the Left party and the Union of Fighters in Bitola.