SDSM asks why Mickoski pushes return of Iva Mihailova but has not sought Gruevski's extradition

SDSM accused Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and two ministers of involvement in what the party called the "release" of Iva Mihailova to Bulgaria, and asked why the government has not pressed a renewed extradition request for convicted former prime minister Nikola Gruevski.

"The scandal over the release of Iva Mihailova revealed an under‑the‑radar, under‑the‑table agreement made in Sofia. Mucunski negotiated, Toshkovski let her go, Mickoski approved, the border is like Swiss cheese, and there is no accountability. Now Mickoski is getting more entangled in an attempt to cover up the scandal," said SDSM spokesperson Bogdanka Kuzeska.

The opposition statement names Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski and Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski alongside Prime Minister Mickoski as responsible for how Mihailova, who held both Macedonian and Bulgarian citizenship, was able to leave the country on October 12 despite precautionary measures that included confiscation of her identity documents.

Questions about Gruevski and extradition

Kuzeska sharply challenged Mickoski's plans to raise the Mihailova case with NATO and EU partners, pointing to what she called silence over Nikola Gruevski, who fled to Hungary after being convicted. "Why doesn't he complain, why with the same volume doesn't he ask for his return from Hungary? Iva is suspected but Gruevski is convicted. Where is the announced new request for extradition of Gruevski? In May, four months ago, Mickoski's government said that once it completed the documents it would submit a new request. Documents were travelling for days, documents were being gathered, not this Wednesday, next Friday. Then they said they were waiting for a new government to be formed in Hungary. Four months have passed, a new request for Gruevski's extradition has not been sent. Another lie by Mickoski. The truth is that he protects Gruevski and does not want to seek extradition. Time confirms that everything Mickoski says — lies. Criminals protect criminals, that is the essence. And about Iva, before he complains about someone else, Mickoski must give answers at home. Not 'sometime' but now. Not to protect Toshkovski, not to shift responsibility. Justice and the law must apply equally to everyone. The gang must know that there will be accountability, every single one will answer," she said.

According to the opposition, Mihailova left the country together with her lawyer and went to Bulgaria, even though authorities had taken her personal documents as a precaution within the ongoing proceedings in Kochani where she faces trial over a traffic crash that caused fatalities. The lawyer has not disclosed at which border crossing they crossed into Bulgaria.

Mickoski has said he will discuss the Mihailova case with NATO and EU partners, warning that Bulgaria could become a refuge for criminals. SDSM demanded concrete answers and a new extradition request for Gruevski, saying the government has had months to act.

Photo: SDSM