Regarding Iva Mihajlova fleeing to Bulgaria and her high-level reception in Sofia, the Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT) points out that such conduct by Bulgarian state institutions undermines the efforts being made to build trust and runs counter to declared commitments to developing good-neighborly relations.
“The high-level reception of an individual facing legal proceedings sends a seriously wrong message. National affiliation and the possession of another citizenship must not serve as protection against accountability before competent institutions. Everyone has the right to a fair trial. No one has the right to be exempt from the law. We expect the Republic of Bulgaria, as a European Union member state, to act in accordance with fundamental European principles: respect for judicial proceedings, cooperation between competent institutions, and equality before the law. Actions that create the impression of institutional protection against legal accountability are incompatible with those principles. The rule of law must not be selective, nor should it depend on an individual’s national affiliation,” said the Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade will inform international partners, particularly European Union institutions and the Council of Europe, about developments in the case.
“Such actions, for which there are precedents, directly undermine trust between the two states and raise serious questions regarding the consistent observance of shared European values. We remain committed to fostering good-neighborly relations based on mutual respect, trust, and European principles. We expect the Bulgarian side to demonstrate the same sense of responsibility. Respecting the rule of law is not a matter of political choice, but a fundamental European obligation,” the Ministry noted.
Earlier on Monday, it was reported that Iva Mihailova, a young woman from Kochani who identifies as Bulgarian and is currently standing trial for a fatal traffic accident, had crossed the Macedonian-Bulgarian border without court authorization.
The news that Mihailova had crossed the border accompanied by Bulgarian lawyer NikolayDimitrov was reported this morning by the Bulgarian broadcaster bTV. She has already given statements to Bulgarian media, though it remains unclear whether or when she will return to Macedonia. Bulgarian President IlianaIotova is awaiting the assessment from doctors at Sofia’s Pirogov Hospital regarding the condition of 23-year-old Mihailova, who arrived in Bulgaria following months of legal disputes in Macedonia over the need for specialized treatment for injuries sustained in a severe accident.
“Lett’ssee what her condition is and take the urgent measures we have been insisting upon for so many months—not only here in Bulgaria but also before all international institutions,”Iotova told the media, as reported by BGNES.