Borislav Sarafov Approved for Chief Prosecutor Role as Bulgaria Faces Judicial Protests
Borislav Sarafov has been deemed eligible for the role of Bulgaria's chief prosecutor by two committees within the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC)
Tsvetan Tsvetanov, former Interior Minister and Deputy Chair of center-right party Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB), has reiterated that he is not concerned about the ongoing investigation into his activities, claiming that he is innocent and he always defended the interests of the state.
"I can tell you categorically that I am innocent," Tsvetanov told journalists Thursday, commenting on the announcement of Chief Prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov earlier the same day that he had submitted to Parliament a request to clear the launch of criminal proceedings against the former Interior Minister.
Tsvetanov, as cited by 24 Hours daily, assured that his activities during his term in office as Interior Minister had always been driven by public interests and had been concentrated on the fight against serious trans-border organized crime.
He emphasized that all reports of the European Commission mentioning clear political will, and reforms implemented by the Interior Ministry in the sphere of security had been the product of the efforts of Interior Ministry professionals, the GERB government headed by Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, and the Parliament which had approved the legal amendments which had resulted in tangible results outlined in the reports of the US Department of State.
Tsvetanov refused to comment on accusations by the Chief Prosecutor that he had failed to exercise proper control over Interior Ministry officials and the use of special surveillance equipment during his term in office, adding that the claims were plainly ridiculous.
The "Bulgarian Watergate" scandal unfurled at the end of March when Sergey Stanishev, leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), submitted a tipoff to Chief Prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov about alleged illegal wiretapping of politicians, businesspeople and magistrates which had taken place during the rule of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov's center-right GERB party (2009-2013).
A 46-year-old man, identified by the initials G.I., has been charged by the Sliven District Prosecutor’s Office with the murder of his mother
Bulgarian pop-folk singer Debora Ivanova has been taken into custody and formally charged after being caught driving with a blood alcohol level
Border police in Ruse have detained 16 Iraqi nationals who were discovered hidden inside a refrigerated truck
Authorities have uncovered what is believed to be the largest illegal cigarette factory ever discovered in Bulgaria
In a major operation by the Prosecutor’s Office and the Directorate for Drug Control and Investigations, Bulgarian law enforcement seized two kilograms of fentanyl
A tragic altercation on the eve of a wedding left one man dead
Borderless Bulgaria: How Schengen Benefits Are Transforming Trade and Logistics
Bulgaria's Mortality Rate Remains Highest in Europe