site.btaProsecuting Magistracy Gives Up on Trial against Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Union Head Serbezova

Sofia, July 5 (BTA) - The prosecuting magistracy has given up on
 the trial against the head of the Bulgarian Pharmaceutical
Union (BPhU), Prof. Asena Serbezova.

The BPhU chief was charged on 10 April 2020 with spreading panic
 during a state of emergency. She was charged in connection with
 interviews she had given and her bail was set at 20,000 leva.

The prosecuting magistracy initially claimed that Serbezova's
statement about an expected shortage of medicines was unfounded
and constituted a serious public threat.

The first instance court acquitted Serbezova of the charges,
after which the prosecuting magistracy appealed and the case was
 reviewed by a second-instance court. On Monday, however, the
prosecuting magistracy said in the court room they do not wish
to press further with the charges.

The prosecutor working on the case said that Serbezova's
statements on national radio and TV do not constitute
purposefully misleading remarks that spread panic, adding that
the defendant was rightfully acquitted by the court and the
acquittal should be confirmed. NV/MY