Mickoski criticises Bulgarian politicians for turning Mihailova into a media figure

North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said claims that Iva Mihailova, who is on trial over a fatal traffic accident in Kochani, entered Bulgaria through legal channels do not reflect the truth. Mickoski said the Interior Ministry is investigating how she was taken to the country and that the ministry has confirmed there is no record of her passing through any legal border crossing.

Mickoski also rejected statements by Mihailova's lawyer to Bulgarian media that she entered Bulgaria legally on September 28. He criticised Bulgarian political leaders for turning Mihailova into a media celebrity in public, saying this harms good neighbourly relations between the two countries.

Mickoski said Mihailova and her parent must answer to Macedonian authorities and will face justice sooner or later. Responding to opposition claims that her departure was the result of an agreement with the government, he called for the immediate clarification of any such deal, if it exists. An international arrest warrant has been issued for Mihailova, and a Kochani court has ordered her detention for 30 days in absentia.