site.btaCC-DB Alert Supreme Prosecution Office of Cassation to Alleged Witness Intimidation in Politically Motivated Cases

Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) MPs Bozhidar Bozhanov and Lena Borislavova have filed a report with the Supreme Prosecution Office of Cassation alleging unlawful pressure on witnesses in politically motivated cases against CC–DB representatives —- Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev and Sofia Deputy Mayor Nikola Barbutov.

The report cites testimony from key witnesses Sonya Klisurska and Diyan Ivanov, who claim they were coerced by officials of the Anti-Corruption Commission to give false statements. Although these allegations are part of the court files in the ongoing cases, the investigative authorities have failed to address them, the report says.

According to Klisurska’s written complaint to the court, she was pressured to testify against Barbutov and Petar Rafailov, and after refusing, she was charged as a defendant.

Former Varna deputy mayor Diyan Ivanov, who withdrew his earlier statements, said he was personally threatened by Anti-Corruption Commission deputy head Anton Slavchev, who allegedly told him: “I’m listening and watching you. I know everything about you. I’ll lock you up for nine months, and when you get out, your children won’t recognize you if you don’t say and sign what we tell you”.

Ivanov added that he was warned his status as a witness or defendant depended on whether he complied.

“The Anti-Corruption Commission is acting as a tool of political pressure against opponents of [GERB leader Boyko] Borissov and [MRF–New Beginning leader Delyan] Peevski, instead of as an independent body fighting corruption,” Bozhanov said.

The CC–DB coalition has called on the prosecuting magistracy to launch an immediate and impartial investigation into the Commission’s actions.

Meanwhile, ahead of the European Parliament debate on the ongoing assault on democratic institutions and the rule of law in Bulgaria, Continue the Change sent a briefing document to all MEPs and EU ambassadors in Sofia, voicing deep concern over the systematic undermining of the rule of law and the politicization of the judiciary against opposition leaders and democratically elected officials.