site.btaBulgaria Prioritizes Quick Start of European Public Prosecutor's Office - Justice Minister

Sofia, October 9 (BTA) - "Bulgaria prioritizes a quick start of
the work of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO),"
Bulgarian Justice Minister Dessislava Ahladova said on Friday,
addressing an informal meeting of the EU Justice and Home
Affairs Council held by video conference.

Ahladova said that her Ministry is submitting a bill to the
Council of Ministers amending the Criminal Procedure Code and
the Judicial System Act, intended to ensure the necessary
conditions for the work of the European Delegated Prosecutors
and guaranteeing their independence. The public consultation of
the bill ended on Friday.

Ahladova stressed Bulgaria's consistent position in the EPPO
establishment process. The Justice Minister said that by
September 29, 2020, when the EPPO College adopted the Internal
Rules of Procedure and Conditions of employment of the European
Delegated Prosecutors, Bulgaria had already started the
interdepartmental coordination and public consultation of the
bill in question.

Ministers also discussed judicial aspects of a recent EU
strategy for a more effective fight against child abuse the
measures against such acts committed online. The participants
focused on the role and possible obligations for internet
companies to detect, report and remove child sexual abuse
materials, and on how to better enable victims to ask and obtain
 the removal of the images.

During the discussion, Ahladova presented Bulgaria's experience
in removing internet content that is abusive to children.

The participants in the meeting also exchanged views on
combatting antisemitism, in particular how antisemitic incidents
 are to be reported, how to improve recording and collection of
data on antisemitism in order to promote the effective
investigation of antisemitic offences, as well as the
application of a common definition of antisemitism which has
already been adopted by Bulgaria. NV/ZH