The anti-corruption watchdog at the Bulgarian Supreme Judicial Council (VSS) is going to question the magistrate from the Supreme Administrative Court, Panayot Genkov, over alleged ties with the underworld.

The questioning comes on the heels of media reports that Genkov had been seen sharing a table in a popular Sofia restaurant with Angel Hristov better known as one of the notorious Galevi brothers.

VSS further published the official rebuttal of Genkov, who says he had been in the same restaurant with Hristov, but was never on the same table and does not personally know him.

Genkov is the Chairman of the First Unit of the Supreme Administrative Council which deals with appeals of penalties imposed by the National Revenue and Customs Agencies.

Angel Hristov and Plamen Galev are tried for organized crime and racketeering in the western town of Dupnitsa.

“We adhere to the practice of intolerance towards magistrates, who violate ethical rules. We realize the society expects from us decisiveness and serious punishments,” VSS says.

Earlier Tuesday reporters told Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, the story about Genkov and Hristov, and asked him to comment.

Borisov said it he was in VSS' shoes, he would immediately convene the members and propose a measure such as dismissal, but added he does not interfere with the work of the judiciary.

Genkov's boss, the Chairman of the Supreme Administrative Court, Konstantin Penchev, said recently that he was hoping to see an Octopus operation among the judiciary.

11 high-ranking magistrates have been exposed so far in another scandal for their ties with the notorious Krasio the Black, who is facing charges of “trading” magistrate positions. Only 2 have been dismissed by the VSS Anti-corruption Committee.

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