Trial and Travel Ban Trap Iva Mihajlov in Kočani
Iva Mihajlova, a 23-year-old ethnic Bulgarian citizen from North Macedonia, faces an ongoing criminal trial in Kočani over a fatal traffic collision in which she was also injured.
Mihajlova stated publicly that she feels unsafe and lacks proper medical care, reporting that police have entered her home without a warrant and that drones have flown over her property while she remains under a travel ban preventing her from seeking treatment in Bulgaria, according to reports from 24chasa.bg, BNT News, nova.bg, bTV News, and FOCUS.
Deteriorating Health Amid Expert Witness Testimony
The criminal trial against Mihajlova continues with a scheduled hearing in Kočani focused on expert witness testimony regarding the fatal road accident. Mihajlova stated that her health continues to deteriorate due to a lack of adequate medical treatment in North Macedonia, noting that even painkillers no longer manage her chronic pain. Because of the pending legal proceedings, she remains under a strict prohibition preventing her from leaving Kočani or the country to receive medical care in Bulgaria, as reported by BNT News and bTV News.
Unwarranted Entries and Surveillance at Home
Mihajlova reported severe distress regarding local law enforcement actions surrounding her residence during her house arrest or travel restrictions. According to statements given to nova.bg and detailed by 24chasa.bg, she stated that police officers have entered her home without proper documentation or search warrants, that plainclothes individuals remain stationed outside her property throughout the day, and that unmanned drones regularly fly overhead.
“They treat me as if I were the biggest criminal,” Mihajlova said, adding that she does not feel safe.
GERB Monitoring and Pending Defense Evidence
Political figures from Bulgaria are closely tracking the judicial process in North Macedonia. GERB has dispatched Georg Georgiev to attend ongoing court sessions in Kočani to monitor proceedings on behalf of the Bulgarian community, according to FOCUS.
Mihajlova expressed hope that the upcoming court session would provide a fair hearing, stating that her defense experts will present findings that directly contradict the conclusions put forward by the prosecution.
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