site.btaProtestors Call for Disbandment of Counter-Corruption Commission, Resignation of Its Head

Protestors rallied outside the Counter-Corruption Commission (CCC) Monday to demand the resignation of Anton Slavchev, its acting chair, and the complete dissolution of the institution. The protest was organized by the civic counter-corruption movement BOEC.

“Let’s stop at least one of the mafia’s ‘bludgeons’. We demand the immediate resignation of Anton Slavchev and the closure of the anti-corruption commission. It is being used for retribution and to shield the crimes of [MRF - New Beginning leader] Delyan Peevski and [GERB leader] Boyko Borissov,” said BOEC leader Georgi Georgiev as he spoke to the media.

He also commented on an earlier incident that day, in which police conducted a check at a residential building in central Sofia. According to Georgiev, the police were fully aware that they were entering the office of the civic organization but the Interior Ministry denied the accusations and said police were holding an operation against illegal aliens in the same building.

The protest escalated when demonstrators tried to enter the CCC building to submit a complaint but were held back by a police cordon at the entrance. One protester was arrested.

Later, MPs from Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria coalition tried to persuade the police to let them in.

Speaking to the crowd, Georgiev announced that he would be filing a complaint against Georgi Petrov, a municipal councilor from Kyustendil, who allegedly threatened people critical of him in his official capacity. According to Georgiev, over the past few years Petrov has declared a monthly income of between 220 and 310 leva, while his wife is unemployed. At the same time, he lives in an upscale house and owns three luxury cars.

Eventually, Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria co-floor leader Nikolay Denkov said that he had managed to get in and submit the tipoff.