The acting Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior, Georgi Kandev, stated on Friday that he faced pressure following communications urging him to “go home.” In a Facebook video, Kandev recounted receiving multiple calls on Thursday from undisclosed numbers via a mobile application. During these calls, he was informed that an individual known as “Kartofa” and his associates were presenting false testimony against him at the Sofia City Prosecution Office (SCPO). Kandev alleged that the operation was orchestrated by a former Interior Ministry official named “Svetlyo.” He questioned the SCPO regarding the testimony of “convicted and criminally charged individuals” and sought to identify the instigators and the timing of the actions.
Prime Minister Andrey Gurov publicly stated that the entire caretaker government and “every honest Bulgarian citizen” support Kandev. Gurov characterized the alleged pressure against the acting Secretary General of the Ministry as a “vendetta” occurring at the SCPO under prosecutor Emilia Rusinova. He linked Rusinova to Petyo “The Euro” Petrov, a former investigating magistrate accused of influencing the judiciary.
Gurov asserted that the conspiracy against the Secretary General emerged after efforts to curb democratic attacks and secure funds related to the April 19 elections. Interior Minister Emil Dechev echoed this sentiment, claiming that “old cops” were employing tactics to undermine the Ministry. Dechev expressed full support for Kandev, asserting the integrity of the Secretary General.
Meanwhile, other political figures, including Assen Vassilev and the Yes, Bulgaria party, criticized the situation, with some alleging the prosecution service was being misused to target officials working on institutional reform.
Topics: #kandev #ministry #secretary
This suggests a high level of political tension surrounding the investigation into electoral crimes.
What specific actions or evidence prompted the alleged pressure on the Ministry Secretary General?