site.btaCC Chair Accuses Acting Prosecutor General of "Illegally Exercising Control over Public Funds," Calls for His Detention

Speaking to reporters during a meeting of Continue the Change’s (CC) youth wing in Sofia on Saturday, CC chair Assen Vassilev said that acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov was "illegally exercising control over state funds" and called for his detention.

Vassilev said that the Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev and municipal councillors have been detained for over two months based on statements from "some Plamenka [Dimitrova, a key witness in the case against Kotsev], who suggested they might do something in the future at an unspecified time." The CC chair noted that the Supreme Court of Cassation had ruled that since July 21, Sarafov was no longer acting as prosecutor general, yet he continues to "exercise control over BGN 40 million per month" in public funds.

"This is malfeasance in office and abuse of power. If the same standards applied, he should be detained while the investigation is ongoing, just as they did with Varna Mayor Kotsev," Vassilev said.

"We are seeing entrenched mafia influence. There are attempts to resist citizens and legitimate institutions in the country," he added.

His party previously said that they had alerted several institutions about the situation.

Vassilev said that it had transpired that former deputy mayor of Varna Dian Ivanov gave testimony under pressure and threats. "People without conscience, completely subservient to the mafia, are mocking human destinies," Vassilev added.

"This battle for Bulgaria’s future is extremely important. Will this country be a normal, prosperous country governed by rules, or will it remain poor, ruled by phone calls? Young people must fight for their rights. In this vein, I call on all Bulgarians to support young doctors on Tuesday in their planned protest for fair pay in healthcare," Vassilev said. He added that the issue is more about political will than it is about money.