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Breaking News: Bulgaria‘s Chief Prosecutor Pushes for MPs’ Immunity Lift

Bulgaria’s acting Chief Prosecutor, Borislav Saraphov, has written to the Speaker of the 51st National Assembly, Natalie Kiselova, expressing concern that no information has been received regarding the granting of immunity to three MPs: Dayhan Ibryamov, Mario Rangalov, and Lena Borislavova. The request for their immunity was submitted on November 13, 2024 (Ibryamov), and December 19, 2024 (Rangalov and Borislavova).

In his letter, Saraphov emphasizes that the Code of Criminal Procedure (CCP) requires prosecutors to ensure the timely completion of pretrial proceedings and take all necessary measures for a lawful investigation (CCP Articles 22(2) and 203). He expects the National Assembly to provide information on the actions taken regarding the immunity requests.

Meanwhile, Veselin Veshev from "Renaissance" has withdrawn from his position as an MP. Radostin Vasilev, Angel Georgiev, and Guenay Dalolu have also agreed to be investigated.

The immunity request for Lena Borislavova from PPDB is due to documents related to the "Save the Coral" organization. Veshev and Georgiev from "Renaissance" are under investigation for hooliganism and assaulting a police officer. Vasilev from "MECH" is being investigated for sexual harassment against former ITN deputy Christina Ivanova. Rangalov from DPS-DPS is under investigation for buying votes, while Dalolu from "DPS-New Beginning" is suspected of making threats to secure advantages in Veliko Tarnovo region.

Lena Borislavova stated that she would renounce her immunity before voting in the assembly but not before the holidays, to avoid disrupting her family’s celebrations. If her immunity is requested, GERB leader Boyko Borisov has stated that his party will vote against it, citing a previous stance.

Dayhan Ibryamov from DPS-DPS was arrested but released to take his oath as an MP, thereby gaining immunity. He was originally detained on bribery charges.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.

‘Democratic Bulgaria‘ & GERB Align on Ukraine Pact, Despite earlier Rift; Main Revolutionary Power Digs In

‘Bulgaria Can Sign Ukraine Deal Immediately, No Parliamentary Sanction Needed’, insists ‘Democratic Bulgaria’. The centrist GERB party, despite its leader Boyko Borisov’s earlier refusal to back the security cooperation pact between Bulgaria and Ukraine, voiced shared support for a immediate signing by the caretaker government.

In a joint statement, ‘Democratic Bulgaria’ and GERB agreed, "The two sides concur that the Ukraine agreement can be signed immediately by the caretaker cabinet, which holds the mandate for this purpose, without parliamentary endorsement. Should the caretaker cabinet falter, a future regular cabinet will sign it."

Yet, the stance of the opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and its allies, ‘Bulgarianaphiles’, remains firm. They called for Parliament to grant a mandate to acting Foreign Minister Kalin Mitrev to ink the pact urgently. However, Speaker Natalia Keranova refused to entertain this motion, leaving the parliamentary pathway uncertain.

Bulgaria’s 10-year commitment under the pact involves political, economic, and social assistance to Ukrainian refugees, military training, and continued military aid.

Meanwhile, talks for government formation between GERB-SDS and ‘Democratic Bulgaria’ proceeded today, with policies in education, social policy, healthcare, culture, regional development, defense, and foreign affairs on the agenda. GERB-SDS also held talks with ‘There Is Such a People’.

In a relatable Facebook post, ‘Democratic Bulgaria’ asserted, "The interim cabinet has a valid mandate to sign the Ukraine agreement. If they fail, a future government will do so."

GERB leader Boiko Borisov unexpectedly announced that there are prospects for forming a government. GERB has sent invitations to the Democratic Bulgaria (DB), Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), and أقصى التكنولوجيا الجديدة (ITN) for official talks to form a cabinet. Borisov explicitly excludes “Continuity” from this potential future coalition. In parliament corridors, Borisov clarified that there’s a difference between talks and negotiations. He stated that today, GERB’s negotiating team will send letters to parties that showed interest in forming a government, inviting DB, BSP, and ITN. Borisov confirmed that he had discussed the timeline with President Radev, expressing confidence that they wouldfinalize the government successfully. Borisov proposed swift negotiations led by Tomislav Donchev, Raya Nazaryan, Daniel Mitov, and Rosen Zhelyazkov, with separate meetings with each party. However, Borisov refused to discuss former Finance Minister Asen Vassilev, who had allegedly declined to apologize for past actions. Gerb’s surprise move was met with skepticism, as DB denied any talks with GERB.

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Title: Borisov Shockingly Announces Coalition Government with GERB, BSP, and ITN; PPDet Left Disappointed

In a surprising turn of events, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has revealed plans to form a new coalition government in Bulgaria, bringing together his center-right GERB party with the leftist Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and the liberal pro-European ITN. This move has left the democratic coalition Party for Bulgaria (PP/DB), which did not make it into the next parliament, feeling bitter and left out.

The New Alliance

Borisov, who has been the country’s Prime Minister since 2009 (with a brief interruption in 2013-2014), made the announcement on Monday, following the 4th of April parliamentary elections. His GERB party emerged as the largest party, but fell short of an overall majority. The BSP finished a close second, while the ITN, led by former Bizones President Rumen Radev, secured a significant number of seats.

In a joint press conference, the three parties declared they would work together towards a "strong and stable government" that would focus on "欧洲一体化 [Europeanization], economic growth, and the rule of law." The new coalition, which has been dubbed the "3+1" government due to the disproportionate GERB majority, is expected to be sworn in within the next few weeks.

PP/DB Reaction

Meanwhile, the PP/DB coalition, led by former prime minister Kiril Petkov and veteran politician Asen Vasilev, is left out in the cold. Despite their strong showing in the elections, securing over 26% of the vote, they found themselves unable to form a government with only 68 out of 240 seats in the National Assembly.

"We’re disappointed, but not surprised," said a spokesperson from the PP/DB, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Borisov will do whatever it takes to stay in power, even if it means forming a cynical coalition with his political enemies. We had better aspirations for this country."

The spokesperson also raised concerns about the new government’s composition and policies: "We had hoped that a center-left, pro-European coalition could finally bring real change to Bulgaria. However, we now have a government that includes extremist elements and is unlikely to push for crucial reforms."

What’s Next?

The new coalition, despite its unexpected nature, enjoys a comfortable majority in parliament, raising questions about its longevity and the potential for policy disagreements between the partners. While the radical nationalist party Vytnarעו Peninsula renders certain policies off-limits, the coalition’s policy on Europe, economic reforms, and corruption remains to be seen.

For the PP/DB, the next challenge is to consolidate its position as the main opposition force and maintain the momentum it gained during the election campaign. In the meantime, the political landscape in Bulgaria continues to shift, with surprise alliances and unexpected power dynamics.

Borislav Sarrafov, the acting prosecutor general and current candidate for the post, has a son who, at the age of 29, is already a successful businessman building luxurious properties and receiving high salaries. His company has even taken out a multi-million lev loan to develop its business. However, the source of this prosperity has raised questions about potential corrupt activities, as the firms paying the young Sarrafov are linked to GERB and DPS parties. Two investigative firms, “Union Ivkoni” and “Elidis”, are paying Borislav Sarrafov’s son and his ex-wife tens of thousands of levs each month, totaling over a million levs in the last three years. Additionally, Borislav Sarrafov’s son has received a 4 million lev loan to build a luxurious building in Sofia.

The civic movement “BOETC” brought attention to the case and revealed that Union Ivkoni received over 17 million levs from the state to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic during Borysov’s last government (2017-2021). The connection between Borislav Sarrafov’s promotion to acting prosecutor general and the government’s decision to allocate these funds has raised concerns.

Special prosecutor Daniela Taleva conducted an investigation into Borislav Sarrafov’s son’s properties in 2021/22 but refused to initiate a preliminary investigation due to the high salaries paid by “Union Ivkoni” and “Elidis”. Taleva did not find evidence that Borislav Sarrafov had abused his authority to help his son and ex-wife’s real estate transactions. However, the state prosecutor’s office has not provided any public information or comments on the case.

Critics argue that Borislav Sarrafov’s potential influence by Boyko Borisov and Detelin Peveski, as alleged with his predecessors Ivan Geshev and Sotir Tsatsarov, raises concerns about his suitability for the role of prosecutor general. The lack of transparency regarding Borislav Sarrafov’s son’s wealth and the source of his high salaries have fueled suspicions of corruption.

The Enigma of Silence: The Prosecutor’s Secret on the Wealth of Sarrafov’s Associates

Title: The Puzzle of Silence: The Prosecutor’s Secret on the Wealth of Sarrafov’s Associates

Introduction

In the complex tapestry of Bulgarian politics and business, the name Sarrafov has long been a subject of intrigue and speculation. While the former MP and businessman, Ahmed Dogan Sarrafov, has maintained a relatively low profile in recent years, the wealth amassed by those in his inner circle has raised eyebrows and sparked questions that remain unanswered. This article delves into the enigma of silence surrounding the high incomes of Sarrafov’s associates and the prosecutor’s office’s apparent reluctance to shed light on the matter.

The Wealth of Sarrafov’s Associates

Sarrafov’s associates, many of whom are prominent figures in Bulgarian politics and business, have been reported to have amassed considerable wealth. According to public records, some have declared incomes that far exceed the average Bulgarian salary, with a few even surpassing the earnings of the country’s top politicians. However, the sources of these incomes remain shrouded in mystery, with many of the associates refusing to comment or provide detailed explanations.

The Prosecutor’s Office: A Wall of Silence

Despite the public’s interest and the potential implications for transparency and accountability in Bulgarian politics, the prosecutor’s office has maintained a wall of silence on the matter. When approached for comment, prosecutors have either declined to discuss the issue or have cited ongoing investigations as the reason for their silence. This stance has left many wondering why such high-profile cases seem to be moving at a snail’s pace, if at all.

Legal Hurdles and Political Pressure

Legal experts have suggested that the prosecutor’s office may be facing significant hurdles in investigating the wealth of Sarrafov’s associates. These challenges could range from complex financial structures designed to obfuscate the origin of wealth to political pressure that could hinder a thorough investigation.

Moreover, some have speculated that the prosecutor’s office may be exercising caution due to the potential political fallout from such an investigation. Sarrafov’s associates are known to have substantial political influence, and a high-profile investigation could potentially destabilize the delicate balance of power in Bulgarian politics.

The Public’s Right to Know

Regardless of the legal and political complexities involved, the public has a right to know how public figures amass their wealth, especially when those figures are suspected of having close ties to prominent politicians. Transparency and accountability are cornerstones of a healthy democracy, and the silence surrounding the wealth of Sarrafov’s associates undermines these principles.

Conclusion

The enigma of silence surrounding the wealth of Sarrafov’s associates is a puzzle that the Bulgarian public deserves to have solved. While the prosecutor’s office may be facing significant challenges in its investigation, the public’s right to know should not be sacrificed in the process. It is high time that the relevant authorities shed light on this matter, ensuring that the principles of transparency and accountability are upheld, and the Bulgarian public is not left in the dark about the wealth of those who wield significant political influence. After all, sunlight is the best disinfectant, and it is only through transparency that the Bulgarian public can make informed judgments about the integrity and legitimacy of its political and business elite.