EU Scandal: Chairman of Bulgarian Club in North Macedonia Convicted

Danger to the rights of Bulgarians in the RSM: The "Ljupčo Georgievski" case

The Appellate Court in Bitola upheld the suspended sentence of Ljupčo Georgievski, chairman of the now-deregistered "Ivan Mihaylov" association. The decision sparked a sharp reaction from the Bulgarian shadow rapporteurs on the issue of the Republic of North Macedonia's accession to the EU.

"This is a deeply disturbing development that raises questions about the country's commitment to the Copenhagen criteria," write Stanislav Stoyanov and Ivaylo Valchev.

What did the court decide?

• A one-year suspended sentence with a three-year probation period was upheld.
• The charge is "xenophobia and racism" due to posts of quotes by Ivan Mihaylov on Facebook.
• Georgievski announced that he will take the case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

According to MEPs Stanislav Stoyanov and Ivaylo Valchev, this trial is not an isolated case, but part of systematic pressure on Bulgarians in North Macedonia. The club's activities were aimed at cultural and historical initiatives, which raises the question of freedom of expression and the right to self-determination.

In support of this position, Angel Georgiev from "Vazrazhdane" has also sent an official letter to his colleagues in European structures, insisting on attention to the restriction of the rights of our compatriots abroad.