site.bta Trial against Former Defense Minister Nenchev Starts

Trial against Former Defense Minister Nenchev Starts

Sofia, February 22 (BTA) - The Sofia City Court has decided to proceed on the merits of the case against former defense minister Nikolay Nenchev. He is charged with malfeasance in office in relation to the repairs of the Bulgarian Air Force's MiG-29 fighters.

Nenchev's defence noted that there are a number of violations in the indictment, while part of the evidence has not been described correctly.

Nenchev is a candidate MP and enjoys immunity as such, but has not objected to the trial against him proceeding.

President Rumen Radev is to be questioned as a witness in his capacity as former Air Force chief during the next court sitting. Former chief of defence Konstantin Popov and other high-ranking military officers were summoned for questioning on Wednesday.

The prosecuting magistracy denied that the trial is politically motivated, explaining that it will be held behind closed doors, as the indictment is classified. Nenchev's defence, however, will demand a public trial.