PP Outraged by the Transfer of Blagomir Kotsev to Prison

"We Continue the Change" (PP) expressed strong indignation regarding the decision to move the legally elected mayor of Varna, Blagomir Kotsev, from detention to prison. This happens against the backdrop of the fact that the court refused to consider the request for a change of the measure of restraint, filed by his defense, and before a final sentence has been entered. For the same reason, the former deputy mayor of Sofia, Nikola Barbutov, has also been transferred to prison. This is stated in a position of PP, published on the social network Facebook.

The party expresses concerns that such synchronized actions raise serious questions about the observance of the principles of the rule of law. They are asking whether a dangerous precedent is not being created, in which administrative decisions precede or render judicial control meaningless. According to PP, this affects basic constitutional guarantees such as the presumption of innocence, the right to defense and the right to a fair trial.

PP calls for ensuring full transparency in these cases and for strict compliance with the law. The position emphasizes that Bulgarian citizens have the right to institutions that act independently, consistently and without political motives. According to the political formation, justice must be a guarantee, not a threat.

The Sofia City Prosecutor's Office (SGP) confirmed to the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA) that the transfer of the detainees to prison is a lawful procedure. This happens when the case against an accused person, who is permanently detained in custody, enters the judicial phase, that is, when the investigation is completed. This procedure is regulated in Art. 244 and 245 of the Law on the Execution of Sentences and Detention.

BTA recalls that last Thursday, SGP filed an indictment in the Sofia City Court in the case against the mayor of Varna, Blagomir Kotsev. Just a day later, the case against Nikola Barbutov was also filed in court.