The Sofia City Court is finally deciding whether to release the former principal of the capital's school 138th school, Alexander Evtimov, on bail of 5,000 leva. He is accused of installing cameras in the school's toilets, as well as creating pornographic content with minors. According to the magistrates of the first instance, there is not enough evidence for the second charge.
Before the start of the hearing, Evtimov denied knowing about the cameras.
"I did not install them. I have no idea who it was, it will be clear. I had access as a principal, this is normal. There is no evidence that I have pornographic photos of students. There are signs in the school that there is video surveillance, but I didn't know there were cameras in the toilets. When the investigators came, that's when I found out. I only had access to the recordings from the cameras in the corridors and classrooms," said Evtimov.
According to him, the devices were probably installed before his appointment - around 2017.
"People were questioned who confirmed that they were installed before me. I assume that some of the students and parents complained, but I didn't have a problem with anyone, the school was going very well. The project with the Sofia Municipality clearly led to an attack against me - because of my photo with Terziev. Everything is politically motivated. The school was selected with a pilot project according to a program that was also desired by others,", Evtimov believes.
He denied firing teachers. "The deputy directors also monitored the cameras. During the caretaker government, I took part in a competition - during the time of Vanya Kastreva. I expect to go home, there is no reason for me to be detained", added the dismissed director.
In Evtimov's home, investigators found 11 flash drives with recordings from cameras in the school's toilets. According to him, the devices contained only his documents.