site.btaCourt Sends Back Official Malfeasance Indictment against ex-Judge Chenalova as Poorly Motivated, Prosecutors to Appeal

Court Sends Back Official Malfeasance Indictment against ex-Judge Chenalova as Poorly Motivated, Prosecutors to Appeal

Sofia, August 7 (BTA) - It transpired Monday that Sofia City Court has sent back to the prosecution office the official malfeasance indictment against ex-judge Roumyana Chenalova for being poorly motivated. The prosecutors said they would seek a reversal of the court decision.

In December 2016, Chenalova was charged with malfeasance in office and a documentary offence, intended to obtain a benefit for a private company. The prosecution counted 14 violations allegedly committed by the judge in the process. In February, the Sofia City Court terminated the criminal proceeding against Chenalova, arguing that the acts narrated in the indictment do not constitute a criminal offence.

Following an appeal by the anti-corruption prosecution unit, the Sofia Appellate Court in April found the decision for terminating the proceeding wrongful and unlawful and reopened the case. The case was thus sent to be tried by a different panel of the Sofia City Court - which is now sending the indictment back to the prosecution office.

The judge who last tried Chenalova's case found that the indictment was not clear and was thus incomprehensible for the defendant and her defence.

Sofia City Prosecution Office said they would make sure the court starts considering the case on its merits.