Kovachev on the case of Iva Mihailova: Skopje has no grounds to complain against Bulgaria to European institutions

According to Bulgarian MEP Andrej Kovachev, the case of Iva Mihailova from Kochani does not give North Macedonia grounds to address European institutions with complaints against Bulgaria. Mihailova went to Bulgaria even though a court ruling had barred her from leaving the country.

In a statement to BNT, Kovachev questioned why Skopje would complain against Bulgaria and what problematic action it had taken. According to him, Bulgaria had done absolutely nothing of the sort.

The MEP said that a humanitarian perspective should prevail in handling the case. He also revealed that, during a meeting of the European People’s Party in Italy, he had presented the situation to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Mihailova, who is in Bulgaria, has stated that she was persecuted in North Macedonia because of her Bulgarian background.

She has been charged in connection with a road accident that resulted in the death of Besim Durmishi, a young man from the village of Ljuboten near Skopje. The incident occurred on October 7, 2025, on the Kochani–Shtip road. The family of the late Durmishi is also attending the hearings held at the Criminal Court in Kochani, where Mihailova is on trial.

At the time of her departure, Mihailova was subject to a court measure barring her from leaving North Macedonia. Her name was also on the “banned list” at all official border crossing points.