site.btaCases in Specialized Criminal Court Increase by 50 Per Cent in 2015

Cases in Specialized Criminal Court Increase by 50 Per Cent in 2015

Sofia, March 23 (BTA) - The cases handled by the Specialized Criminal Court (SCC) in 2015 increased by 50 per cent compared to the preceding year, SCC President Georgi Oushev said Wednesday, presenting the annual report of the Court.

A total of 2,895 cases were instituted and filed with the SCC in 2015. Of them, 79 were solved - 32 with verdicts and 47 with settlements. A total of 185 persons were convicted, 24 were acquitted. The most common is the prison sentence of up to three years, conferred on 162 persons, 102 of whom were given conditional sentences. The heaviest sentence was 15 years behind bars rendered against one convict.

Sixty-five cases were terminated in the trial phase.

Following amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure, the applications for use of special surveillance means increased more than two-fold per month. A total of 253 such applications were sent to the SCC in January 1 to June 9, 2015. The Court granted 242 applications. After the entry into force of the amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure, there were 323 such applications in the period from June 9 to August 31. Of them, 216 were granted and 112 were turned down.