Breaking: Prosecutor General Seek Immunity Lift for Six Bulgarian Lawmakers
Bulgaria‘s Chief Prosecutor, Borislav SARAFOV, has filed a request to lift the immunity of six Members of the Czech Parliament (MPs), including Ljena BORISLAVOVA from the Patiya na Demokratsiyata (PD), and DEP from the Deyan PEYVSKI’s DPS – "New beginning" party, GUNAY DALOULU. The list also includes RADOSTIN VASILEV, leader of the MESH party; VeSELIN VESEV and ANGEL Georgiev from the "Vazrazhdane" party; and Mario RANGELOV from the DPS-DOGAN.
This move comes just days after GERB leader BoiKо BORISOV announced that his party would support BORISLAVOVA, with any attempt to lift her immunity potentially leading him to reconsider signing the "sanitary cordon" declaration against PEYVSKI. Later, SARAFOV defended his decision, stating that he risked being investigated for obstruction if he didn’t act on the requests, which he described as being passed to him like "letters in a postbox."
BORISLAVOVA and "Koral"
BORISLAVOVA’s immunity is being targeted due to suspicions of document fraud. The case revolves around the resignation of Kiril PETKOV from the civil organization "Save Coral" in 2021, when he was appointed economy minister. Documents related to his resignation were submitted through BORISLAVOVA, at the time an attorney. However, there are suspicions that signatures on these documents may have been manipulated.
The prosecutor’s office only recently joined the case, during negotiations for forming a new government and PEYVSKI’s Patiya na Patriyata (PP-DB) seeking to isolate him from power through the "sanitary cordon" declaration. Moreover, the immunity of Kiril PETKOV and Asen VASILEV, a close associate of Aussen, was also requested. These actions have raised questions about the state prosecutor’s intent to target the coalition.
Pressure
Among SARAFOV’s requests, perhaps the most notable is that for DALOULU’s immunity. Elected in the TORPNO region, he previously ran as a candidate in the 49th election last April. According to the prosecutor’s office, he is suspected of using threats to secure 20 preferences during last spring’s election.
This is the first time such allegations have surfaced against a DP representative. Neither the Ministry of the Interior nor the prosecution has previously mentioned such suspicions.
Meanwhile, PEYVSKI’s involvement in the "Magnitsky Act" sanctions process remains unmentioned by Bulgarian authorities, despite international bodies raising concerns.
Dogan’s Deputy
Mario RANGELOV, deputy for DPS-DOGAN, could face election crime charges if his immunity is lifted. Prosecutors allege that in the run-up to the last election, he created and managed a group aimed at "committing a crime against political rights of citizens." They also claim that he arranged for 15,000 BGN (around 7,500 USD) to be distributed as 50 BGN (around 25 USD) per vote in his favor.
The case is from the PLEVEN region. Although the interior minister hinted at such an investigation post-election, no names were mentioned.
From the Archives
Long-running cases against RADOSTIN VASILEV and two "Vazrazhdane" deputies are also on the list. Leader of the MESH party and former sports minister, VASILEV is under investigation for allegedly pressuring Christina KOLEVA, a former ITN MP. In 2019, VASILEV and other deputies split from ITN, urging KOLEVA to do the same.
GEORGIEV and Dechev are being probed over alleged hooliganism and assault of police officers during a protest outside the regional ministry in 2020.
As the situation develops, Bulgarians brace for potential legal and political fallouts. The lifting of these immunities could open new doorways in the ongoing investigations, shaping the country’s political landscape. Stay tuned for updates on this evolving story.
