site.btaActing Prosecutor General to Prioritize Dialogue with Institutions, Stronger Professionalism within Judiciary

In an interview with Bulgarian National Television on Saturday, Acting Prosecutor General Vanya Stefanova said that her ambition is to restore normalcy to the prosecution service. She outlined as key priorities for her six-month term strengthening professionalism within the system and improving dialogue between institutions, ensuring the effectiveness of investigations, achieving results that hold up in court, and guaranteeing that prosecutors can work calmly and independently.

Stefanova noted that in the very first days after taking office, she held talks with representatives of the Ministries of Interior and Justice, the State Agency for National Security (SANS), and the Customs Agency, emphasizing the importance of constant coordination between the agencies. In her words, good communication between institutions is key to the system’s effective operation, and prosecutors are expected to demonstrate a level of activity measured not by publicity but by results that stand up in court.

She described the fact that a woman is at the helm of the institution as a precedent for the Bulgarian prosecution service, but noted that this should be viewed in the context of a broader trend of women assuming leadership positions in government and the Judiciary. In her words, this fact alone should not determine the management approach, which must be based solely on professionalism and institutional balance.

The acting Prosecutor General emphasized that the prosecution service should not be subjected to extreme public characterizations such as a “bludgeon” or an “umbrella,” as such labels distort the public’s perception of its work. In her view, the institution must act independently of political and media influences, with decisions made solely on the basis of the evidence gathered and the law.

Regarding investigations of high public interest, she noted that the prosecution relies on cooperation with the Ministry of Interior and security services to gather quality evidence, emphasizing that no one is above the law, but also that no one should be charged without sufficient grounds. Stefanova noted that the public often expects swift charges following a tip-off, but the work of the prosecuting magistracy requires time for analysis and assessment so that the conclusions hold up in court.

She announced that in the case of former Bulgarian Development Bank chief executive Stoyan Mavrodiev, who was detained in Belgrade on a European arrest warrant earlier this week, an extradition procedure is underway. The necessary documents have already been sent to the competent authorities, and a decision is expected in accordance with international deadlines and the procedures of the Serbian authorities. According to her, the timeline depends both on the judicial procedures and on the will of the person whose extradition is being sought.

Stefanova also commented on the case of the illegal settlement in Varna's Baba Alino area, noting that the investigation is complex and involves the actions of numerous institutions. According to her, the prosecution service acted on reports it received and issued instructions to the competent authorities; it is currently being determined whether all necessary administrative measures were taken.

She also addressed the issue of so-called influence networks within the judicial system, stating that such dependencies have seriously damaged trust in institutions. According to her, active pre-trial proceedings are currently underway, including cases involving property fraud and extortion, with the aim of clarifying all dependencies without exception.

Regarding the Petrohan case, she described the investigation as unprecedented in scope and complexity, involving numerous expert analyses from various fields. Stefanova emphasized that the prosecution’s goal is to fully clarify the factual circumstances and the mechanism of the damages incurred, with all conclusions to be based on expert opinions.

The Petrohan case is a high-profile criminal case in which five men and a 15-year-old boy met a violent death between February 1 and 8, 2026. Their bodies were found in two remote mountain locations in Northwestern Bulgaria: a lodge near the Petrohan Pass and a camper van near Okolchitsa Peak.

In conclusion, the acting Prosecutor General stated that a six-month period is not sufficient for a comprehensive reform of the system, but it is sufficient to demonstrate direction and political will. In her words, the sustainability of the prosecuting magistracy depends on legitimate governance and the election of a permanent Prosecutor General, and trust in the institution is built through work, not public appearances.