site.bta"I Have Not Taken Money, Nor Is the Party Financed This Way," Says CC Leader Vassilev in Response to Testimony Linking Him to Alleged Corruption

"I have not taken money, Blagomir Kotsev has not taken money, and the party is not financed in this way," said Assen Vassilev, co-leader of Continue the Change (CC) and MP, speaking to journalists outside the Palace of Justice in Sofia on Friday evening.

Vassilev’s statement came in response to claims made during a hearing related to the case against Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev. Prosecutors recounted witness testimony from Plamenka Dimitrova, who allegedly linked a requested percentage of a public procurement contract to Vassilev. She said she had understood this from conversations with two of the accused. The prosecutors presented this during the session determining pre-trial detention measures for Kotsev, municipal councilors Yordan Kateliev and Nikolay Stefanov, and businessman Ivaylo Marinov.

"I waive my immunity so that this can be investigated, but more importantly, I will sue the said Ms. Plamenka, and once I collect the money from her, I really will use it to finance the party," Vassilev added.

He also stated he would formally waive his parliamentary immunity as soon as the Prosecutor General requests it.

Vassilev noted that he had never seen Plamenka Dimitrova in his life.

"I'm outraged that someone dares to smear my name, the name of CC, and to spread lies about us," he said.