The acting Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior, Georgi Kandev, stated on Friday that he faced pressure. In a Facebook video, Kandev recounted receiving multiple calls on Thursday from hidden numbers via a mobile app. During these calls, he was informed that an individual known as “Kartofa” and associates were giving false testimony against him at the Sofia City Prosecution Office (SCPO).
Kandev was told this effort was orchestrated by a former Interior Ministry official named “Svetlyo.”
Kandev questioned the SCPO regarding the testimony of “convicted and criminally charged individuals” and sought to identify the orchestrators and the timing of the actions. In his video, he declared, “Silence is not an option. I will not back down!”
Prime Minister Andrey Gurov publicly supported Kandev, asserting that the entire caretaker government and “every honest Bulgarian citizen” stood with him.
Gurov characterized the alleged pressure at the SCPO, overseen by prosecutor Emilia Rusinova, as a “vendetta.” He further criticized Rusinova and associated figures, including former investigating magistrate Petyo “The Euro” Petrov, who is linked to alleged corruption within the judiciary. Interior Minister Emil Dechev echoed the support, alleging that “old cops” were employing tactics to undermine the Ministry. Dechev expressed confidence in Kandev’s integrity.
Meanwhile, political opposition raised concerns, with one party accusing prosecutors of being used to target officials working on institutional reform, referencing perceived state capture.
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