Executive Chief Prosecutor Borislav Sarafov issued an order to create a more effective organization of work in the prosecutor's office. The order applies to cases of particular factual and/or legal complexity, including cases of significant public interest, in criminal proceedings for corruption crimes, organized crime, causing death in transport crimes, domestic violence, human trafficking, etc. According to Andrei Yankulov from the Anti-Corruption Fund, this is a demonstration of some activity. He is of the opinion that in order to resume the procedure for electing a new chief prosecutor, a person has already been elected politically.
"Procedure has always been a formality. Always in advance, the person was already determined somewhere else," Yankulov said in the program "The Day ON AIR".
He explained that the current composition of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), although out of mandate, performs the functions of the SJC. A decision was made that the mandate is not terminated with the expiration of its term, but is extended in time until new members are elected.
"The main guarantor of the independence of the judicial system is the SJC. The change in justice should really start from there. This is the institution that appoints from here on all key positions. A serious change is needed in the way the political majority decides to exercise its powers to nominate and appoint the future members of the political quota in the SJC," Yankulov emphasized to Bulgaria ON AIR.
When asked if there is anyone to supervise the chief prosecutor, he replied that there really isn't.
"The adhoc prosecutor can prosecute the chief prosecutor, and he is given more guarantees of independence under the special mechanism that was announced. Indeed, formally on paper, there is such a possibility of an independent investigation of the Attorney General. Many of the other aspects of the Attorney General's great power remain intact, which are more essential," commented Yankulov.