site.btaParliament Adopts Conclusive Criminal Procedure Code Amendments Introducing Judicial Review of 72-Hour Prosecutorial Detention

Parliament on Thursday adopted at second reading amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) introducing judicial review of 72-hour detention orders issued by prosecutors. The new provision is set to enter into force one month after its promulgation in the State Gazette.

The amendments also require competent law enforcement authorities to inform suspects of their rights and provide them with the opportunity to exercise those rights. These include the right to legal counsel and legal aid, the right to oral and written translation if they do not speak Bulgarian, the right to remain silent, among other procedural safeguards. A number of related laws were also amended as part of the legislative package.

Lawmakers, however, rejected a provision that would have introduced judicial oversight of the actions of the ad hoc prosecutor responsible for investigating the prosecutor general.