Bulgarian authorities have been notified that North Macedonia is seeking the extradition of Iva Mihaylova, the Bulgarian Interior Ministry said. The young woman is facing trial on charges of violating road traffic regulations, and a court in Kocani has issued a warrant for her arrest.
On the morning of October 12, it emerged that Iva Mihaylova was in Bulgaria for medical treatment. She said she had presented identity cards issued by both North Macedonia and Bulgaria when crossing the border.
''At 7:38 p.m. on October 13, the International Operational Cooperation Directorate received a request from INTERPOL Skopje for the international search, arrest and extradition of Iva Mihaylova, who holds Bulgarian and North Macedonian citizenship'', the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior said. The ministry added that no INTERPOL Red Notice had been issued for Mihaylova.
Bulgarian authorities have not taken steps to establish Mihaylova's whereabouts in Bulgaria, according to the statement. The Ministry cited Article 25(4) of the Bulgarian Constitution, which stipulates that Bulgarian citizens cannot be extradited to another state or an international court for criminal prosecution unless this is provided for in an international treaty ratified, promulgated and in force for Bulgaria.
Edited by Diana Tsankova
Translated by Kostadin Atanasov