site.btaAllegation Should Be Examined on Basis of Facts, Documents, Evidence, Green Movement Says on Charges against Borislav Sandov

Every allegation should be examined on the basis of specific facts, documents and evidence, rather than through public insinuations, the Green Movement political party said in its position on the charges brought by the Sofia City Prosecution Office against Borislav Sandov.

The party’s statement said that the prosecution charged Sandov, one of the prominent figures of Bulgaria’s democratic and environmental community and a member of the party’s National Council, in connection with an agreement signed in 2022, when he served as environment and water minister.

Green Movement said that a number of questions need to be answered: whether state control powers were in fact granted to a non-governmental organization; whether those powers were actually exercised; what specific benefit was obtained; and what exactly is meant by the alleged "significant adverse consequences".

"These questions are particularly important in light of the inspections by the Sofia Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water in December 2022 and January 2023, cited in the document, which found no unauthorized control or security activities carried out on the basis of the agreement," the party added in its statement.

The mere existence of an administrative or procedural problem does not automatically constitute a criminal offence. In order to establish criminal liability, the specific elements of the alleged offence must be proven, including the claimed abuse of authority, the specific intent to obtain a benefit, and the alleged adverse consequences, the party said.

Green Movement said it rejects the practice of turning political and public life into an arena for allegations, labels and media insinuations before the facts have been established. The manner in which the Sofia City Prosecution Office brought charges against Sandov, as well as the timing, are part of what the party described as an "active operation" in which "captured Bulgarian institutions are unconstitutionally interfering in the upcoming presidential and vice-presidential elections".

According to the party, "the objective of the behind-the-scenes figures controlling the prosecution is clear - to create uncertainty and fear among prominent opposition figures, seize even more power and concentrate it in a single centre, thereby steering Bulgaria away from its democratic achievements and its European path."

The party expressed its unequivocal support for Sandov and said it would assist, by all lawful means, in demonstrating the lack of merit of the charges against him and clearing his name. Green Movement said it expects the competent authorities to establish the facts objectively, independently and transparently, with all parties given the opportunity to present their evidence and exercise their right to a defence.

Earlier Friday, the prosecution announced that a former environment and water minister has been charged in connection with the granting of control powers to a non-governmental organization in protected areas in the vicinity of the Petrohan Hut.