site.btaLawyers Demand Resignation of Supreme Bar Council Leadership

107 JUSTICE - LAWYERS - PROTEST

Lawyers Demand Resignation
of Supreme Bar Council
Leadership


Sofia, February 24 (BTA) - Lawyers on Sunday demanded the resignation of the leadership of the Supreme Bar Council. They argued that the Council is failing to provide adequate protection for their rights, and called for major legislative changes to ensure that they can practice their profession normally.

Alexander Pelev of the Facebook Community of Bulgarian Lawyers told a BTA-hosted news conference that law practitioners are considering a protest in front of the Specialized Criminal Court in Sofia on Tuesday, when the Court is expected to decide on the possible release of their colleague Martin Apostolov from custody.

Nikolai Hadjigenov said that next week lawyers will begin to prepare for a nationwide strike. He invited all legal professionals, including judges, to join the strike.

According to Velislav Velichkov, the February 23-24 general assembly of lawyers has been proceeding as if the democratic changes of 1989 never happened. "The Bar has not stepped into the 21st century," he said. Iskra Kishkova recalled a demand raised by lawyers: the building of an electronic communication system to help defence counsels prepare for trial, which requires amending the Bar Act. LY/VE
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