A sharp criticism of the judicial system was made by the deputy from "We Continue the Change" academician Nikolay Denkov regarding the case against Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev. In an expressive statement to journalists, Denkov revealed a series of procedural irregularities that cast doubt on the legitimacy of the judicial prosecution.
According to the parliamentarian, the prosecution deliberately delayed the investigation, keeping the case "on hold" in order to use it at the most suitable political moment. "In conditions of urgency, the institution has been inactive for 8 months, after which it quickly requested to conduct an action," Denkov commented.
A key point in his statement are the witnesses' testimonies. The deputy emphasized that the entire prosecution is based on testimonies from two witnesses, with one already having withdrawn them. Moreover, according to Denkov, there are serious doubts about pressure being exerted on the witnesses.
The Appellate Court left Blagomir Kotsev in detention, and according to Denkov, the court panel acknowledged that the case is being handled in the wrong court and by the wrong prosecution. "The only claim is that Kotsev may have known about a possible crime," the deputy emphasized.
PP Chairman Asen Vasilev added that behind the case is an attempt to control the judicial system. "They are using the Anti-Corruption Commission and the prosecution to settle scores with free people," he was categorical.
An interesting detail is that one of the key witnesses - Plamenka Dimitrova, has won over 50 million leva in public procurement over the past years. Denkov emphasized that she lost a public procurement during Kotsev's time, and the decision was confirmed at three instances.
The deputy did not hide his emotional attitude towards the case, stating: "We are not afraid, there are not enough handcuffs for free people. We will not allow the state to turn into a pigsty".
Protests in support of Mayor Blagomir Kotsev are already being organized in Sofia and Varna, which shows the growing public tension around the case.
At the moment, the Appellate Court has left the Varna mayor in detention, with the motives for detention remaining controversial and strongly contested by political circles.