Klekovski: Mihailova left the country because there was no medical case

Health Minister Sasho Klekovski said the woman at the centre of the recent case, Iva Mihailova, left the country because there was no medical reason to keep her under care — a claim that has intensified political reactions after authorities issued an international warrant and lost track of her for more than ten hours.

Klekovski told reporters that a Bulgarian medical consilium was due to arrive to review Mihailova together with Macedonian doctors, and that her departure took place before that panel could convene.

Minister of Health Sasho Klekovski: "The escape is due to the arrival of the Bulgarian consilium here. It was supposed to check the person's claims together with Macedonian doctors. I think then things would have come to light what they are. I am travelling to Sofia, I will of course speak with their Ministry about it because basically there is no medical case there"

Medical checks and political fallout

Health authorities have announced they will review the medical records to establish who recommended treatment abroad and on what basis. The current director of the Clinic for Neurology has already asked the Health Inspectorate to investigate.

The opposition demanded resignations and opened new lines of inquiry. VMRO-DPMNE called for an investigation into former Neurology Clinic director Ivan Barbov, who issued a recommendation for treatment in neighbouring Bulgaria.

Valentin Manasievski (VMRO-DPMNE): "For the suspect Iva Mihailova, who is otherwise suspected in a criminal-legal event, for serious acts against the safety of people and property in traffic, the criminal friend and doctor of Filipche and Zaev, Ivan Barbov, prepared a report on 19.03.2026, in which it is clearly stated that her further treatment must continue in neighbouring Bulgaria."

TV 24 sought comment from Barbov; he did not answer the questions but posted on Facebook: "I only treat patients — I did not let anyone escape." Meanwhile SDSM renewed calls for the resignation of Toshkovski.

Keti Sterjova (SDSM): "Instead of accountability and resignation from Toshkovski now the people see theatre. The Bulgarian ambassador is being summoned, a warrant is issued, detention is requested, responsibility is shifted to someone else, a media campaign is run, Filipche, Zaev, SDSM are blamed… The border is Swiss cheese, a sieve both for criminals and for fugitives from justice"

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) also demanded explanations from Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski about lapses in the security system, asking how Mihailova could have left the country without proper records and pointing to the Artan Grubi case as another example raising serious questions about border control and institutional responsibility.

Photo: press material from the event