Foreign Ministry Summons the Bulgarian Ambassador: Mihailova’s Welcome in Sofia Is a “Provocation” — What Sofia Says
The Foreign Ministry says it amounts to “direct interference” in the legal system and announces informing the EU and the Council of Europe; Sofia says treatment is the priority.
On October 13 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade summoned Bulgarian Ambassador Zhelyazko Radukov over the Iva Mihailova case. The ministry called the reception in Sofia, including announcements of a high-level welcome, a “provocation” that undermines efforts to build trust and good-neighbourly relations, “direct interference” in the legal system and a “seriously wrong message” about respect for court proceedings and equality before the law.
The ministry says national origin or another citizenship must not serve as protection from liability. It expects Bulgaria, as an EU member, to act in line with European principles and announces it will inform the EU and the Council of Europe. It is not stated who received her in Sofia, only “announcements” of a high-level reception.
The Bulgarian side presents the case differently. According to BTA, Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev says no one from Macedonia contacted Bulgarian authorities, and the Foreign Ministry said it had no prior knowledge and that treatment is the priority. President Iliana Iotova said she would meet Mihailova at the first opportunity. The presumption of innocence applies to Mihailova, and the court in Kocani has yet to decide on the charge.
MKNews Hub · Macedonia · October 14, 2026
