The Yes, Bulgaria party accused prosecutors on Friday of being used, once again, to target officials involved in institutional reform. This statement followed claims by Interior Ministry acting Secretary General Georgi Kandev, who stated he faced pressure and was subjected to false testimony regarding unspecified misconduct. Speaking at a party briefing, Yes, Bulgaria co-chair Ivaylo Mirchev asserted that the prosecution service was being utilized as part of what he termed the “Borissov-Peevski model,” naming GERB leader Boyko Borissov and Movement for Rights and Freedoms leader Delyan Peevski.
Mirchev contended that this model was functional and that the prosecution was once again being used against reformers. These comments followed Kandev’s earlier assertion on Facebook that he had received calls warning him to “go home” and that false testimony was being presented against him at the Sofia City Prosecution Office, actions he believed aimed to force his resignation. Mirchev characterized the current pressure on Kandev, caretaker Interior Minister Emil Dechev, and caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov as an act of retaliation for their efforts to ensure fair elections.
The party alleged that the prosecution and the Peevski-Borissov model were attempting to strike back. Furthermore, Mirchev announced that the party had submitted an alert to the prosecution regarding a journalistic investigation by BIRD. This investigation alleged recordings of conversations between former Supreme Administrative Court chairman Georgi Cholakov and an intermediary concerning bribes exchanged for favorable court decisions.
Mirchev labeled Cholakov “Peevski’s lawyer,” while co-chair Bozhidar Bozhanov criticized the Supreme Administrative Court as “the court of those in power.” The party demanded immediate investigation into the matter, calling for thorough checks of related reports and asset reviews for senior magistrates. Yes, Bulgaria also indicated it would seek a parliamentary hearing concerning allegations that Delyan Peevski used private jets abroad without declaring the travel in his financial interests statement.
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