Macedonian attorney Toni Menkinoski announced that Bulgarian authorities have imposed a 10-year entry ban against him. Menkinoski is known for representing Macedonians in Bulgaria before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

The attorney himself describes the decision as scandalous and claims it constitutes direct pressure related to his work. Menkinoski says Sofia wants to silence him and stop his advocacy for the rights of the Macedonian community. He represents Macedonians in legal proceedings before the European Court and maintains that this work is the reason for the ban.

Menkinoski announced a press conference at which he will detail all the circumstances of the decision.

The case provoked a broad reaction in the country. The government representative for legal affairs Kekenovski stated that banning entry to a lawyer who represents Macedonians constitutes a dangerous precedent for the rule of law. The decision is seen in the context of broader tensions between Macedonia and Bulgaria that have already been negatively affecting the country's European path for years.