The case of Iva Mihailova, Radukov: the humanitarian dimension should not have been politicized

Bulgarian Ambassador to North Macedonia, Zhelezko Radukov, told journalists yesterday that the case of Iva Mihailova had been from the very beginning a purely humanitarian issue and that there was no reason for it to take on political overtones. He said this after leaving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of North Macedonia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Bulgarian ambassador had been summoned because of the developments surrounding Iva Mihailova and the treatment she received in Sofia.

“So far no one has met or received Mihailova in Bulgaria. However, it is completely natural for such a humanitarian case to arouse interest, including from Mrs. Yotova, as president and as a mother. She will probably meet her at some point, as she is open to considering any situation of this nature,” Radukov told “Sitel,” urging the media to verify the information they publish.

He stressed that the Foreign Ministry of North Macedonia expressed its concern about the event.

“I also shared my concerns, because for us too, Mihailova’s arrival in Sofia was a surprise. Of course we cannot welcome it, but we understand that in a state of despair, she chose to come to Bulgaria. You yourselves know that trust in the judicial system here is 2 to 3 percent. How can there be trust in institutions when normal legal mechanisms exist for people who need treatment abroad and who have restrictive measures that can be lifted for this purpose? This is quite humane and is applied in practice, but for her, as a Bulgarian, these mechanisms for unknown reasons were not set in motion.

How can the system be trusted when the competent health institution in North Macedonia confirms that the treatment she needs cannot be carried out in the country, while at the same time senior political officials claim that everything is fine and that she is receiving the necessary health care? I may not support the decision she made, but in such a desperate situation, I fully understand it,” Radukov concluded. /Telegrafi/