The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a position confirming that it will continue to monitor the case of Bulgarian citizen Iva Mihaylova from Kocani and provide, within its mandate, the necessary assistance and support. The statement follows a report by Bulgarian National Television describing the situation of the 23-year-old woman, who holds both Bulgarian and North Macedonian citizenship and has been prevented from leaving her hometown for eight months following a traffic incident under investigation.
According to the ministry, it first became aware of the case when Mihaylova contacted the Bulgarian Embassy in Skopje at the end of March 2026. Diplomatic steps were subsequently taken, including the provision of free legal assistance through a support program for the Bulgarian community, with the engagement of a lawyer in North Macedonia to ensure her legal protection.
Officials also stated that medical documentation related to her condition was transferred to Sofia for review in a Bulgarian medical institution. A formal certificate was issued through the ministry confirming the need for treatment in Bulgaria and the feasibility of carrying it out there. At the same time, the ministry noted that a review of the case materials raises concerns about whether all relevant facts and evidence were properly assessed during the proceedings, including witness testimony that could challenge the prosecution’s version of events.
