Mickoski: Iva Mihailova was taken illegally to Bulgaria, Bulgarian media reports are false

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski told a press conference at government headquarters that Iva Mihailova and her father, Simeon, would be held accountable in the future after leaving Macedonia. He said the Interior Ministry was investigating how Mihailova was transferred to Bulgaria.

Mickoski dismissed as untrue Mihailova’s claim, reported by Bulgarian media that met her after her departure, that she had crossed at an official border crossing.

“What the Bulgarian media reported and told the public—that she and her lawyer went through a regular border crossing and exchanged greetings—is not true at all. That is a lie. According to our latest information, also confirmed by the Bulgarian side, the lawyer entered on September 28, so his claim does not hold up. Although this person has a dubious past, I want the public to know these facts. I confirm that she was transferred illegally to Bulgaria. The Interior Ministry is investigating, and we will find out how it happened,” Mickoski said.

The prime minister also spoke about Simeon Mihailov, who was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison in the “Detonator” case for the attempted murder of Sasho Mijalkov’s bodyguard. He said the father would also have to answer to the authorities.

“Both the parent, who must answer to the Macedonian authorities, and Iva, who must prove her innocence, will be held accountable at some point. If anyone thinks they have secured some kind of protection this way, by trying to damage neighborly relations between the two countries, I am sorry. Bulgaria’s political leadership is trying to project political strength in this way and does not understand the damage it is doing to itself on the international stage. This is the policy they have chosen,” Mickoski said. /Telegrafi/