The conflict between the Prosecutor's Office and the Ministry of the Interior: Institutions in a dispute over powers
The state prosecution issued a sharp statement, according to which it is unacceptable for the Minister of the Interior, Ivan Demerdzhiev, to issue public "warnings" to prosecutors and administrative heads. According to the prosecution, such actions contradict the principle of separation of powers.
The final assessment of every inspection and investigation in a state governed by the rule of law belongs to the court, not to the state prosecution or the bodies of the executive branch.
The state prosecution emphasizes that public comments on pending investigations and evidence are contrary to the legal framework of the Ministry of the Interior. Despite the tension, the prosecution declares that it agrees with the minister's thesis that the law is a supreme value and that inspections must be uncompromising.
Context of the tension
- Investigation against the GDBOP (General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime): It is being investigated whether officials of the service exceeded their powers during the inspection of a person with immunity.
- The "Peevski" case: Minister Demerdzhiev has referred the National Audit Office regarding discrepancies in the property status of the DPS leader, as well as the origin of the funds for his flights.
In its statement, the leadership of the prosecution declares that it stands behind every magistrate who works impartially, and warns that inter-institutional tension dooms common goals to failure.