site.bta Justice Minister Proposes Disciplinary Proceedings against Judge Dian Vasilev over Influence Peddling Suspicions

Caretaker Justice Minister Andrey Yankulov has submitted to the Judges Chamber of the Supreme Judicial Council a proposal to initiate disciplinary proceedings against judge Dian Vasilev of the Sofia Regional Administrative Court, the Justice Ministry said on Tuesday.

The proposal states that, in his capacity as acting chair of the Ruse Administrative Court, Vasilev acted as an intermediary in an attempt at undue influence by Judges Chamber member Dragomir Koyadzhikov on judge Ivaylo Yosifov in connection with his participation in the competition procedure for the position of head of the Ruse Administrative Court.

The press release further notes that, according to information made public, judge Vasilev told judge Yosifov to withdraw from the competition, conveying on behalf of Koyadzhikov that he would not receive support in the vote in the Supreme Judicial Council. The conversation also included suggestions of a predetermined outcome of the procedure, as well as warnings of adverse consequences should Yosifov refuse, the Ministry said.

Yosifov, for his part, said he would disclose the incident publicly during his hearing before the Judges Chamber and would file a complaint with the State Agency National Security. Subsequently, judge Vasilev allegedly attempted to downplay what had been said and to dissuade his colleague from making the case public and notifying the competent authorities.

Yankulov’s proposal states that, regardless of whether judge Vasilev actually held a conversation with Koyadzhikov or fabricated it, in the first case he acted as a conduit for undue influence, and in the second he breached the prohibition against intrigue. In his capacity as an administrative head, he not only failed to distance himself from the alleged influence but actively participated in conveying it to another judge, including through suggestions of a predetermined outcome of a competition procedure and insistence on the withdrawal of a candidacy.

Attempts were also identified to dissuade the affected judge from disclosing the case and alerting the competent authorities, which in itself constitutes a form of impermissible pressure and reveals awareness of the improper nature of the conduct. This creates “an impression of an attempt to conceal such practices” and “of the existence of informal channels of influence over personnel decisions,” the caretaker Justice Minister said.

According to him, through his actions judge Vasilev violated key principles of the Code of Ethical Conduct of Bulgarian judges, including the obligation not to allow any influence or pressure and, especially when holding a managerial position, not to succumb to pressure or suggestions of any kind, not to tolerate and to promptly curb manifestations of denunciation and intrigue, as well as the requirements for high moral standards, integrity and propriety.