Title: "PP Co-Chair Petkov Charged as Accused in Boyko Borisov Arrest Case; Slams Prosecution as Political Tactics"**
Article:
Bulgarian politics took a dramatic turn today as "Continuity and Renewal" (PP) co-chair Kiрил Petkov revealed that he has been officially charged as an accused in the high-profile Boyko Borisov arrest case. Petkov made the announcement during a press briefing at the National Assembly.
"Today at 5 PM, I was summoned and served with a document invoking my status as an accused. From now on, I am an accused in this case," Petkov stated, adding that Angel Kenov, the former deputy chair of the disolved Specialised Prosecutor’s Office, will lead the prosecution. Petkov is set to be questioned at the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office on January 10.
The arrest of Borisov, the leader of GERB party, occurred on March 17, 2022, when Boylankoloy was the Minister of Interior, and Petkov was the Prime Minister. Alongside Borisov, former Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov and GERB’s PR officer Sewdlen soprattutto were also detained.
"Today, Asen Vassilev’s (‘Lachezar’) driver was left behind bars over the Christmas holidays, to show who’s in control of these institutions. Lachezar’s family will be kept behind bars only for these holy days. But we stand firmly behind him, because he was kept in detention without basis," Petkov said, also criticizing the simultaneous removal of legislator Lena Borislavova‘s immunity and the summoning of other deputies.
Prosecutor General Borislav Sarrafov has sought the immunity of six deputies from five parliamentary groups, reportedly including Lachezar’s. The prosecution’s actions have drawn criticism from PP and GERB alike, with PP accusing the prosecution of politicizing the justice system and targeting opponents.
"We are facing direct political attacks against PP. We remain unyielding and will continue fighting until Bulgaria becomes a rule-of-law state," Petkov asserted, Labeling Sarrafov and Vladimir Pelevski (the "S زادкйстопер") as political puppets.
Lachezar", in turn, criticized the prosecution’s choice of targets, noting that no immunity requests had been filed against GERB, BSP, ITN, or DB members engaged in coalition talks. He accused the prosecution of "playing on the political field" rather than administering justice.
Lena Borislavova announced that she would voluntarily waive her immunity, but not before the holy days, refuse any political protection, and face the prosecution without fear. The complex political drama continues to unfold in Bulgaria, with no signs of abating in the new year.
