site.btaForeign Ministry Ready with Protest Note over Iva Mihaylova's Case in North Macedonia

The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry has prepared a diplomatic protest note over the case of Iva Mihaylova in North Macedonia, Prime Minister Rumen Radev told a briefing in Pleven on Friday.

The trial against Mihaylova, who is charged with a serious offence related to road traffic safety in North Macedonia, began at the Basic Court in Kocani on July 6. One person was killed in the incident, which occurred in early October 2025, while several people, including the defendant, were injured. Her documents were confiscated, preventing her from receiving treatment in Bulgaria, one of the countries where such treatment is possible due to the nature of her spinal injuries.

Iva Mihaylova is a citizen of both the Republic of North Macedonia and Bulgaria.

According to expert assessments commissioned by the defence, Mihaylova did not violate any rules regarding either her speed or the position of her vehicle at the time of the collision.

"Bulgaria does not interfere in the judicial proceedings of other countries, but we remain in constant contact with Mihaylova and her family. Our consul in Skopje continues to provide assistance. The State has assumed responsibility for Mihaylova's legal defence. There are active talks at the level of the foreign ministries," the Prime Minister said.

He thanked the members of Parliament who had brought the case to the attention of the European public, as well as President Iliana Iotova for her clear and unequivocal position. "We are not interfering, but this trial and the overall treatment of Mihaylova run counter to common sense and basic humanitarian principles," Radev said.

He attended the graduation ceremony at the Georgi Benkovski Higher Air Force School in Pleven.