site.btaVarna Appellate Prosecutor Suspended for 4 Months

Meeting on Tuesday, the Prosecutors Chamber of Bulgaria's Supreme Judicial Council has suspended Varna Appellate Prosecutor Vladimir Stankov as administrative head of the Varna Appellate Prosecution Office for four months.

The Prosecutors Chamber took no further action on a motion by acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov to suspend Stankov as appellate prosecutor as well, arguing that he has not been holding this position since August 11 by virtue of the Chamber's decision of July 19.

For the period of his suspension, the prosecutor will draw a salary equivalent to the minimum wage. 

Stankov is under investigation in connection with asking and accepting a bribe. Acting on an alert from Varna Mayor Ivan Portnih, law enforcers found EUR 49,000 and BGN 20,000 in the magistrate's office safe. A couple of days ago, Stankov was also charged with unlicensed keeping of ammunition, after over 270 such rounds were found in his possession.