„What happened is not just political news. This is a warning for each of us. The arrest of Mayor Blagomir Kotsev – on charges based solely on the allegations of one person, without evidence, witnesses or records – raises questions much bigger than the specific case“. This was commented on his Facebook profile by the mayor of the capital, Vasil Terziev.
"Because when institutions that have not seen corruption for years react to only one signal, and at a convenient moment for them, reasonable doubt arises about how the law is being applied. And for whom", Terziev added.
According to him, the case is not isolated. It shows how a system with selective justice works.
„Today it is about the mayor of Varna. Tomorrow it could be any of us. If you file a report – they may investigate you, not the guilty party“, Terziev states. „If you are hit on the road – the consequences will depend on who you are, not what happened. If you work honestly – you risk being punished, not protected“, the mayor notes.
According to him, it is not just a question of justice. It is a question of security – for us, for our families, for the future of the city and our country.
„The European Commission is categorical that there are no convictions for high-level corruption, judicial reform is blocked, our institutions are not sufficiently independent. This is the reality. And it will not change on its own“, writes Terziev. According to him, in such moments, the support of the people is invaluable.
"I have experienced it myself. Yours was the strength that helped me continue when the system tried to crush me", Terziev declares. Because it is the voice and activity of society that show that we will not reconcile. That we will not allow fear to replace justice, writes the mayor.
He calls on citizens to support Blagomir Kotsev at the protest at 6:00 p.m. in front of Varna Municipality. Yesterday at around 11:30 p.m., a police arrest warrant was served on the mayor of Varna Municipality, Blagomir Kotsev, and he was taken to one of the police stations.