Two of the three judges who were supposed to try Deputy Sofia Prosecutor Roman Vasilev in a disciplinary case have withdrawn.

Vasilev is facing disciplinary action on part of Bulgaria’s Supreme Judicial Council (VSS), which supervises magistrates, because of his mistreatment of former Defense Minister Nikolay Tsonev.

During last week’s arrest of Tsonev, Vasilev called the ex Minister a “criminal” and ordered him to kneel down even though he was already handcuffed. This led to a public outcry, and Vasilev, who apologized profoundly arguing that he succumbed to emotions, has been condemned by the Ethics Commission of the VSS.

In addition, three members of the Supreme Judicial Council are supposed to try the Deputy Sofia Prosecutor in a disciplinary case.

However, two of the three members withdrew. Judge Georgi Shopov said he was close with Vasilev as the two of them grew up together in the city of Pazardzhiv, and Judge Velyo Velev argued that he had to back out as he had been working closely with Vasilev for a long time.

Thus, the disciplinary case will be tried by three judges including two new appointees, Tsvetanka Tabandzhova, Svetla Danova, and Kostadinka Naumova.