Iva M. case: tests at Pirogov hospital as Sofia probes border crossing
The dual national, who faces charges in North Macedonia, will stay in neurosurgery for several days. Interior Minister Demerdzhiev has ordered checks on when and how she crossed the border.
Symbolic image · Photo: Bin im Garten / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped and resized)
Iva M., a dual Bulgarian and North Macedonian national who faces charges in North Macedonia over a serious road accident near Kočani about a year ago, has been in the neurosurgery ward of Sofia's Pirogov hospital since Monday (Oct. 12). Because of complications from her injuries, tests are planned over several days, BNT reported. Her Bulgarian lawyer had picked her up in Kočani.
Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev said she would be questioned about whether, when, how and where she crossed the border, and would be given protection if needed. Skopje had not contacted his ministry, he said, according to BTA. Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova said her ministry had not been involved, describing it as a humanitarian case that had received no response in North Macedonia.
President Iliana Iotova wants to meet the woman as soon as possible. North Macedonia's Interior Ministry says it has no record of her leaving the country, while its Foreign Ministry speaks of an escape and plans to inform the EU and the Council of Europe. The case in Kočani continues, possibly in her absence, according to her lawyer.