site.btaEx-Interior Minister Tsvetanov Acquitted in "Six Nos" Trial

Ex-Interior Minister Tsvetanov Acquitted in "Six Nos" Trial

Sofia, September 14 (BTA) - The Sofia Appellate Court on Monday acquitted former Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov of charges of thwarting criminal proceedings against Orlin Todorov, former Director of the Regional Anti-Organized Crime Unit in Veliko Turnovo, Northern Bulgaria.

In two earlier court judgments during the trial, Tsvetanov was found guilty and sentenced to four years' imprisonment for barring the use of special surveillance means against Todorov by famously jotting down "No" six times in the written refusal. Despite the twice rendered conviction, the Supreme Court of Cassation returned the case to the second instance, the Sofia Appellate Court, which eventually acquitted the former Interior Minister. This latest judgment is appealable before the Supreme Court of Cassation.

Earlier on, Tsvetanov's lawyer Menko Menkov said the indictment against his client was legally unfounded. The lawyer said Tsvetanov had the right to exercise his own discretion in Todorov's case. The prosecution disagreed, saying that Tsvetanov had no right to bar the use of special surveillance means after it was allowed by a court.