site.btaProsecutor General Geshev Approaches Constitutional Court about Transfer of Witness Protection Bureau Assets

October 13 (BTA) - Bulgaria's Prosecutor General Ivan
Geshev has challenged the constitutionality of provisions in the
 Act on Protection of Persons Threatened in Connection with
Criminal Proceedings, concerning the transfer of assets from the
 Witness and Magistrate Protection Bureau to the Ministry of
Justice, the Prosecutor's Office said on Wednesday.

On September 15 the Parliament voted conclusively to transfer
the Witness and Magistrate Protection Bureau from the direct
control of the Prosecutor General to the Justice Ministry.

The Constitutional Court has already initiated proceedings and
designated judge Pavlina Panova as rapporteur.

According to the petition, Parliament obliged the Council of
Ministers to transfer the Bureau's assets from the Prosecutor's
Office to the Ministry of Justice. Prosecutor General Geshev
argues that this is unconstitutional, as under the Constitution
it is the Council of Ministers which organizes the management of
 the state's assets.

The provision also violates the separation of powers, he said.

The judiciary assets are administered by the Plenum of the
Supreme Judicial Council and their purpose cannot be changed
without the consent of the judicial authorities, Geshev further
added.

In 2014 the Bureau's fixed assets amounted to 2,059,774 leva,
including 24 cars. Its off-balance sheet assets amounted to
661,205.76 leva. As of September 28, 2021, the fixed assets
amounted to 3,039,200 leva, including 29 cars, and the
off-balance sheet assets amounted to 980,000 leva. Facilities
with network equipment and video surveillance were provided for
the Bureau's needs, as well. RY/KK



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