site.btaBomb Threat Marks Supreme Judicial Council's Meeting to Elect New Prosecutor General

Sofia, October 24 (BTA) - A bomb threat was received during the Supreme Judicial Council's (SJC) meeting here on Thursday morning. The SJC is meeting to elect the only candidate for the position of prosecutor general, Ivan Geshev. This is the final step of the procedure for electing the successor of outgoing Prosecutor General Sotir Tsatsarov, whose term expires in January 2020.

SJC representative member Boyan Magdalinchev said that a threat was received about an explosive device placed in the SJC building, explaining that the building is guarded by security round-the-clock. The message was that a bomb would go off in 30 minutes, followed by a phrase in Arabic.

SJC member Krassimir Shekerdzhiev proposed that the meeting continues. Prosecutor General Sotir Tsatsarov said that this is an attempt to stop the meeting by any means.

All 23 SJC members, who are present, voted for the meeting to continue. Absent are Tsvetinka Pashkunova and Supreme Administrative Court President Georgi Cholakov.

The SJC's meeting is marked by yet another protest against Geshev's nomination. Despite the civil discontent, Geshev's election seems predetermined, although the head of State will have the final say.

Before the start of the SJC meeting on Thursday morning, the area around the building was blocked by police. Dozens of people had gathered around the SJC before the meeting, separated into two groups - those in support and those against Geshev's nomination. Such protests are unprecedented in the election of a prosecutor general.

Adressing the SJC, Geshev attributed the protests to the prosecuting magistracy's work, which affects political and economic circles with resources.

"I do not accept to be told what is the truth and what is a lie," Geshev said, adding that giving up now, during this unprecedented attack, would mean that he is afraid and he would betray his colleagues' trust. Such attacks have undermined the judiciary's reputation for years, he went on to say.

"I believe it is time for the prosecuting magistracy to take responsibility for its own management," Geshev said, adding that this view is also shared by the whole community of prosecutors.

Geshev will present his concept about managing the prosecuting magistracy during his hearing, after which he will be asked questions.

The voting will take place right after the hearing and questions. In order to be elected, Geshev will have to get the support of no less than two-thirds of the SJC's 25 members. A new election procedure will be initiated if less than 17 SJC members support his nomination for the post.

Later on Thursday morning after the start of the SJC meeting, protestors against Geshev's election were restricted to a nearby street, after which they marched to block traffic at the Eagles Bridge intersection in central Sofia. Around 100 people have gathered, chanting "Geshev is a shame!". Only ambulances are allowed to pass. Police presence is heavy.

The meeting of the SJC is broadcast live by some online media. This is the first time when the election of a prosecutor general is held at the background of such strong security measures.