site.btaSupreme Court Terminates Proceedings as Chakarov Withdraws Appeal Against Peevski’s Chairmanship

The Supreme Court of Cassation terminated the proceedings in a case against Sofia City Court's refusal to delete Delyan Peevski as one of two chairmen of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) in the Register of Political Parties. The proceedings were initiated upon an appeal by the other chairman, Dzhevdet Chakarov.

On Wednesday, a three-judge panel revoked Tuesday's ruling to proceed with the case and terminated the proceedings, the Supreme Court of Cassation announced. Wednesday's ruling is appealable within a week of the announcement.

The Supreme Court of Cassation acted on Chakarov's petition of May 28 to withdraw the appeal and have the proceedings terminated. After meeting with Peevski on May 27, he announced he was stepping down as MRF chair, and declared unity in the name of the people and the party's integrity.

Chakarov had lodged the appeal on October  22, 2024. The faction close to MRF founder Ahmed Dogan wanted Peevski struck off on the grounds that he had been expelled from the party.

Peevski and Chakarov were the two chairmen of the MRF before it split in July 2024 into two factions: Democracy, Rights and Freedoms (DRF), loyal to Ahmed Dogan, and MRF-New Beginning, headed by Dogan’s one-time protege Delyan Peevski. Both factions claim they are the genuine party. Peevski and his supporters were expelled from the MRF in August 2024. Peevski dismissed the decision as "contrary to the Statute". In turn, Peevski's faction expelled Dogan and his faithful from the party in November 2024. The right to use the name and abbreviation of the party is subject to pending litigation.