site.btaPrime Minister Petkov Appears for Questioning at Supreme Cassation Prosecution Office
ESD 16:08:31 09-02-2022
VE1605ES.110
110 JUSTICE- PRIME MINISTER - QUESTIONING - amplified
Prime Minister Petkov
Appears for Questioning
at Supreme Cassation Prosecution Office
Sofia, February 9 (BTA) - Prime Minister Kiril Petkov went to the Supreme Cassation Prosecution Office (SCPO) on Wednesday to be questioned about names he had mentioned during his meeting with Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev on February 4.
Petkov and the Chief of his Political Cabinet, Lena Borislavova, had been asked to appear before the SCPO to provide information about a list in their possession naming alleged perpetrators of serious criminal and economic offences.
Before the questioning, Petkov told journalists that he was carrying a list of 19 names, some of which he already read at a briefing. "These names are public information, names that are well known. The list does not contain companies, only individuals," Petkov said. He added that these people are known to the public as possible offenders, but he has not come to say who is guilty and who is not.
Petkov added that these names have never been heard officially by the SCPO, and according to him, have only been spoken of in corridors and journalistic investigations. Petkov expressed hope that all necessary actions will be taken after "the Prime Minister is bringing the list of names to the SCPO in person".
After close to two hours at the SCPO, Petkov said that he delivered the list of 19 names and expects from the prosecution service to focus on the cases related to corruption and other crimes. He declined revealing the names to the media.
Petkov reiterated that he, his political party Continue the Change, and Bulgarian society are dissatisfied with the work of the current Prosecutor General and once again requested his resignation. He expressed hope that providing the prosecution service with data on the controversial cases will ensure that no one in Bulgaria stays above the law.
Petkov stressed that he insists on the separation of powers and respects this principle, but society expects justice and the prosecution service to do its job. He noted that he is not an accuser and cannot set deadlines to expect results.
Commenting on Petkov's summons for questioning earlier on Wednesday, President Rumen Radev said that the power holders should try to carry out a decisive judicial reform because "the past will try to retaliate". In this context, he described the summons as "a form of institutional blackmail". "I expect the ruling coalition leaders to take decisive action," Radev said.
Petkov perceives his summoning as an unnecessary publicity stunt, but not as pressure and blackmail.
Radev said that his institution and the executive branch "are cooperating constructively".
Meanwhile, the SCPO said in a press release that Prime Minister Petkov has provided them with information from the media about the 19 persons who, according to him, have committed serious criminal and economic offences. The SCPO said they will ask the Interior Ministry and other law enforcement and security services to provide complete information about the listed persons and about whether the services have taken any action with respect to these individuals.
The SCPO welcomed the Prime Minister's desire for interaction between the judicial system and the executive government, including the Interior Ministry, in order to combat crime and ensure greater justice, as the public expects. ZH/YV/VE
//
VE1605ES.110
110 JUSTICE- PRIME MINISTER - QUESTIONING - amplified
Prime Minister Petkov
Appears for Questioning
at Supreme Cassation Prosecution Office
Sofia, February 9 (BTA) - Prime Minister Kiril Petkov went to the Supreme Cassation Prosecution Office (SCPO) on Wednesday to be questioned about names he had mentioned during his meeting with Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev on February 4.
Petkov and the Chief of his Political Cabinet, Lena Borislavova, had been asked to appear before the SCPO to provide information about a list in their possession naming alleged perpetrators of serious criminal and economic offences.
Before the questioning, Petkov told journalists that he was carrying a list of 19 names, some of which he already read at a briefing. "These names are public information, names that are well known. The list does not contain companies, only individuals," Petkov said. He added that these people are known to the public as possible offenders, but he has not come to say who is guilty and who is not.
Petkov added that these names have never been heard officially by the SCPO, and according to him, have only been spoken of in corridors and journalistic investigations. Petkov expressed hope that all necessary actions will be taken after "the Prime Minister is bringing the list of names to the SCPO in person".
After close to two hours at the SCPO, Petkov said that he delivered the list of 19 names and expects from the prosecution service to focus on the cases related to corruption and other crimes. He declined revealing the names to the media.
Petkov reiterated that he, his political party Continue the Change, and Bulgarian society are dissatisfied with the work of the current Prosecutor General and once again requested his resignation. He expressed hope that providing the prosecution service with data on the controversial cases will ensure that no one in Bulgaria stays above the law.
Petkov stressed that he insists on the separation of powers and respects this principle, but society expects justice and the prosecution service to do its job. He noted that he is not an accuser and cannot set deadlines to expect results.
Commenting on Petkov's summons for questioning earlier on Wednesday, President Rumen Radev said that the power holders should try to carry out a decisive judicial reform because "the past will try to retaliate". In this context, he described the summons as "a form of institutional blackmail". "I expect the ruling coalition leaders to take decisive action," Radev said.
Petkov perceives his summoning as an unnecessary publicity stunt, but not as pressure and blackmail.
Radev said that his institution and the executive branch "are cooperating constructively".
Meanwhile, the SCPO said in a press release that Prime Minister Petkov has provided them with information from the media about the 19 persons who, according to him, have committed serious criminal and economic offences. The SCPO said they will ask the Interior Ministry and other law enforcement and security services to provide complete information about the listed persons and about whether the services have taken any action with respect to these individuals.
The SCPO welcomed the Prime Minister's desire for interaction between the judicial system and the executive government, including the Interior Ministry, in order to combat crime and ensure greater justice, as the public expects. ZH/YV/VE
//
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