Iva Mihaylova accuses State Agency for National Security of coercion and psychological pressure

Iva Mihaylova has accused the State Agency for National Security of using psychological pressure and coercion to control her media appearances. Mihaylova, a Bulgarian woman from North Macedonia, claims the agency threatened to withdraw state-provided rehabilitation and legal assistance if she appeared on unauthorized media outlets. The allegations suggest the agency is attempting to dictate her media interactions by mandating that she only interviews with Martin Karbovski.

Allegations of surveillance and threats

Mihaylova stated that she is experiencing heavy psychological torment due to the actions of the security services. She claims that the State Agency for National Security is monitoring her phone and that she has received threats of physical harm. The Bulgarian woman further alleged that her ongoing rehabilitation in Sofia is dependent on the actions of the security services, creating a situation where her access to essential support is tied to her compliance with media instructions.

The controversy intensified on November 14, 2026, when YouTuber Stanislav Tsanov released audio recordings. These recordings are likely of phone conversations between Tsanov and Mihaylova. According to the recordings, the State Agency for National Security claimed to have full control over Martin Karbovski. The audio suggests the agency could dictate the specific interview questions used during media appearances involving Karbovski.

Political and media involvement

The claims follow the publication of a podcast featuring both Mihaylova and Karbovski, which was released one week prior to these reports. The incident has drawn attention from political figures within the Bulgarian Parliament. Members of Parliament Ivaylo Mirchev and Bozhidar Bojanov, representing the Democratic Bulgaria party, provided interviews to Tsanov regarding the details of this case.

Mihaylova is a Bulgarian citizen from North Macedonia who is currently facing legal proceedings in North Macedonia. The allegations against the State Agency for National Security involve the intersection of state-provided social and legal assistance and the freedom of media expression. While Mihaylova claims the security services are organizing her activities, the specific motivations of the agency regarding these media restrictions remain a central point of the ongoing dispute.

Glossary

• Sofia — Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria. It is situated in the Sofia Valley at the foot of the Vitosha mountain.
• North Macedonia — North Macedonia is a country where Mihaylova is currently facing legal proceedings. It is also the place where Bulgarians live.
• State Agency for National Security — The State Agency for National Security (SANS) is a structure that includes military counter-intelligence personnel. While its personnel are technically civilian servants, they retain their military ranks.