site.btaDelayed Justice Should Not Affect Cabinet Formation - GERB Leader Borissov Comments Kiril Petkov's Requested Immunity

Delayed justice should not affect the formation of the government, GERB leader Boyko Borissov commented the requested immunity of Continue the Change co-leader Kiril Petkov.

On Monday, acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov requested that Parliament lifts Petkov's immunity as an MP in connection with an ongoing investigation into the March 2022 arrest of Boyko Borissov.

"I never comment on the judiciary. I did it as [Interior Ministry] secretary-general and I realized it to be a mistake," Borissov commented the case, adding that he learned about it from the media.

"I only have one question - why now? I also have an answer - that for two years now these people have had immunities. Sooner or later their immunity must be requested. Whether right now, during the negotiations, the case has come out, I can't comment because I don't know. I certainly do not know what is happening in this process and how it is happening. All I know is that the Bulgarian court and the US Department [of State] have ruled that these actions are illegal. If something is illegal, then it requires such an investigation," Borissov said. 

Commenting the contemplated Judiciary Act amendments, Borissov said that GERB has its own draft legislation. The GERB leader also added that his party would not allow “these people” to build the judiciary branch of power, since they celebrated his arrest with drinks and fireworks. “If these people have to draft a law, I will be against,” Borissov said, adding that the justice system must be left alone by the politicians. 

Borissov said he would enter into dialogue with Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria "for the sake of the State and their voters".

Boyko Borissov was detained on the date indicated on March 17, 2022. The Interior Ministry said then that searches and seizures were being carried out at many addresses. Vladislav Goranov and Sevdalina Arnaudova were also detained.

On Monday, Kiril Petkov said on Facebook that he would immediately give up his immunity. "Sarafov wants my immunity for the arrest of Borissov. Didn't you understand that you can't bend us through fear," he said.