site.btaProtest in Sofia Demands Rule of Law, Delyan Peevski’s Removal from Power
Citizens gathered in front of the Palace of Justice in Sofia on Wednesday for a protest in support of the rule of law, under the slogan “Peevski Out of Power” [referring to MRF-New Beginning leader Delyan Peevski, who has been sanctioned by the US and UK for corruption]. There is increased police presence in the area and traffic is disrupted. The protest is organized by the Justice for All initiative.
The demonstrators marched through central Sofia to the historic National Assembly building.
The organizers demand answers on when acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov will step down, how and when the new Supreme Judicial Council will be elected, and when the Election Code will be amended to ensure free and fair elections.
"The message tonight is clear: the opposition cannot govern a country. Today, [GERB leader] Boyko Borissov said that Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov must seek support in Parliament on his own. This means he has to go directly to Delyan Peevski," lawyer Velislav Velichkov from Justice for All explained to the media.
According to him, Bulgarians did not vote for Peevski to rule the country, while the person who should take responsibility refuses to do so and is sacrificing the Prime Minister instead.
"We are here to say 'No' to corruption and 'Yes' to an independent judiciary. We are fighting for the rule of law, not for one-man rule," stated Velichkov.
In 2021, Peevski was designated by the US under the Global Magnitsky Act as an oligarch who "has regularly engaged in corruption, using influence peddling and bribes to protect himself from public scrutiny and exert control over key institutions and sectors in Bulgarian society". Peevski is challenging the designation in a US court. His lawyers argue that there is no evidence of any wrongdoing by their client.
In 2023, the UK sanctioned Peevski for his involvement "in attempts to exert control over key institutions and sectors in Bulgarian society through bribery and use of his media empire".
/KT/
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