Mickoski Calls on Bulgaria to Extradite Simeon Mihaillov

North Macedonia’s Prime Minister, Hristijan Mickoski, has called on Bulgaria to extradite Simeon Mihaillov, who is wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Macedonian police.

Asked by reporters today about the issue, Mickoski said: “We have an arrest warrant for that person, and I expect our partners to act in accordance with the partnership.”

Simeon Mihaillov was sentenced to 12 years in prison in Macedonia, but fled before beginning to serve his sentence. He currently appears on Bulgarian television and takes part in protests in Sofia.

Mihaillov is defending his daughter, Iva Mihaillova, who is facing trial in Kočani over a traffic accident in which one person lost their life.

“We are partners with our eastern neighbor within NATO. We expect people who are wanted under an arrest warrant and who have committed a crime to be extradited, in the spirit of partnership, so that they can face the law and justice,” Mickoski said.

The case of Iva Mihaillova, who holds Macedonian and Bulgarian citizenship, has been dramatized by Sofia with claims that Macedonia is preventing her from receiving treatment in Bulgaria. However, two Macedonian courts have refused to return Mihaillova’s confiscated passport, determining that the healthcare services she needs are also available in Macedonia.

The trial against her is continuing, while six members of the Bulgarian parliament were present at the hearing held three days ago.

The police recently announced that the international arrest warrant for Mihailova remains active.