Sofia City Court has agreed to hear former interior minister Boyko Rashkov, State Agency for National Security (DANS) chief Plamen Tonchev and former finance minister Asen Vasilev as witnesses in the case against ex-prime minister Kiril Petkov. Former DANS deputy chief Petar Petrov will also be a witness.

Prosecutors asked for the questioning. They cited testimony from other witnesses, who say the three men were at a meeting in Petkov's office where the arrest of Boyko Borisov was discussed.

Petkov is charged with crimes in office while he was prime minister.

Prosecutor Angel Kanev, who is overseeing the case, told reporters he will also ask the court to question GERB leader Boyko Borisov. Prosecutors may also seek testimony from businessman Vasil Bozhkov, who is a defendant. Kanev said most witnesses in the case mention Bozhkov in connection with statements he has made.

At today's hearing, the court heard from Gen Emil Tonev, head of the National Protection Service, and Petar Todorov, an MP for Progressive Bulgaria and former chief secretary of the interior ministry.

Todorov repeated that he was not told about Borisov's arrest and learned of it shortly before it happened. He said Ventsislav Kirchev, then head of the National Police directorate, and then interior minister Boyko Rashkov did not give him a sensible explanation of why he was not told about the operation.

The case resumes on 7 December, when Vasilev and Rashkov are due to appear.