The acting Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior, Georgi Kandev, stated on Friday that he had faced pressure. In a Facebook video, Kandev reported receiving calls on Thursday, including messages from hidden numbers via a mobile application. He claimed that he was informed that an individual nicknamed “Kartofa” and his associates were providing false testimony against him at the Sofia City Prosecution Office (SCPO).
Kandev alleged that these actions were orchestrated by a former Interior Ministry official named “Svetlyo.” The Secretary General questioned the SCPO regarding the credibility of the testimony from “convicted and criminally charged individuals” and questioned the motives and timing of the scenario. Prime Minister Andrey Gurov publicly supported Kandev, asserting that the entire caretaker government and “every honest Bulgarian citizen” stood behind him. Gurov characterized the alleged pressure as a “vendetta” occurring at the SCPO under prosecutor Emilia Rusinova.
He also criticized Rusinova and mentioned Petyo “The Euro” Petrov, a former investigating magistrate linked to alleged influence over the judiciary. Prime Minister Gurov suggested that a conspiracy against the Secretary General began after efforts to curb attacks on democracy and seize funds related to the April 19 elections. Interior Minister Emil Dechev supported Kandev, alleging that “old cops” were using tactics to undermine the Secretary General.
Dechev affirmed the commitment of the caretaker government and the Ministry to minimizing electoral crimes. Additionally, Assen Vassilev criticized the threats against Kandev as scandalous, advocating for the replacement of the Supreme Judicial Council to reform the judiciary. The Yes, Bulgaria party accused prosecutors of being utilized to target officials involved in institutional reform.
Topics: #kandev #ministry #secretary
