The development
A court in Ohrid acquitted the defendants in the case concerning the assault on Hristijan Pendikov, bTV reported on 22 October. The proceedings were reheard after a higher court returned the case. Pendikov publicly challenged the outcome. [1]
The details
Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry strongly criticised the decision and said it would continue supporting Pendikov and ethnic Bulgarians in North Macedonia. Sofia’s diplomatic assessment should be distinguished from the court’s reasoning. [2]
Context
The case raises questions about protection against violence, access to justice and trust between the neighbouring countries. An acquittal means the accused should not be described in news reporting as finally convicted perpetrators. Criticism of a result is also no substitute for examining the judgment.
What comes next
The next important developments are publication of the reasoning and information about any appeal. A diplomatic response does not itself change a court ruling. The archive image shows Ohrid; it does not depict the attack, the hearing or the people involved in the case.
