The Prosecutors' Association stood categorically behind the prosecutors in the case against Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev.
The professional organization warned that "the transition from institutional criticism to personal aggression creates a dangerous precedent".
Regarding the criticism of the judicial panel, which on Friday night permanently left Kotsev and three other people in custody, the Union of Judges also came out with a position yesterday.
The criticism of the prosecutor's office was due to the last-minute decision, before considering the measure of non-custodial detention of the four members of the organized crime group, to add an unknown deputy as a fifth member. This made it possible for the case to be withdrawn from Varna to Sofia.
On this occasion yesterday from "We continue the change" referred the Inspectorate of the Supreme Judicial Council against the supervising prosecutors Georgi Ivanov and Ahmed Kokoev.
The Prosecutors' Association strongly objects to the "suggestions of unilateral and arbitrary behavior", defining them as "unfounded and misleading".
"We categorically oppose any qualifications aimed at presenting the actions of the prosecutor's office as political repression", the professional organization writes and warns that personal attacks against Ivanov and Kokoev create an atmosphere of pressure and interference in the performance of the magistrates' official duties.
They also declare that they will oppose any attempts at pressure, undermining the authority and politicization of justice.
Against the personal attacks on judge Stoyan Mihov, who detained Blagomir Kotsev and the other three defendants, The Union of Judges also objected.
The professional organization called on judges to motivate their judicial acts and to make them publicly available, which would increase trust in the judicial system.
The Association of Prosecutors in Bulgaria expresses its serious concern about the way in which the public and media debate has been conducted in recent days regarding the actions of the prosecutor's office in pre-trial proceedings, in which four people have been brought as defendants, including the mayor of Varna - Mr. Blagomir Kotsev.
The principle of equality before the law is the foundation of any state governed by the rule of law. The prosecutor's office applies the law equally to all citizens. The position, political status or public authority of a person cannot serve as a basis for exclusion from criminal liability. The prosecutor's office is obliged to investigate any suspicion of a crime - objectively, impartially and independently. The principle of equality before the law is not subject to compromise. The Prosecutor's Office has not only the right, but also a constitutional obligation to investigate any crime, regardless of who the alleged perpetrator is and what position he holds.
The procedural actions of the Prosecutor's Office are carried out in strict compliance with the law and are subject to control by an independent court.
All measures of procedural coercion, including requests for detention in custody, are subject to subsequent assessment and control by the court. It is the court that guarantees the balance between the rights of the accused and the public interest. In this sense, suggestions of unilateral and arbitrary behavior by the Prosecutor's Office are unfounded and misleading.
We categorically oppose any qualifications aimed at presenting the actions of the Prosecutor's Office as political repression. These allegations undermine the foundations of the judiciary, destroy trust in institutions and prevent the prosecution from fulfilling its functions in the service of society, hindering efforts to effectively combat corruption. The suggestions of recent days about repressions and "PR actions" are not based on facts, but on political interests that have nothing to do with the work of the judicial authorities.
The Association of Prosecutors in Bulgaria stands in defense of the colleagues from the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office, engaged in the specific pre-trial proceedings, who strictly and professionally perform their official duties.
In recent days, the supervising prosecutors have been subjected to personal attacks, mocking comments, public and professional discredit. We call for respect for the principles of separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary and the prosecution in particular. Personal attacks against specific magistrates are unacceptable. This approach is not only incompatible with good manners, but also creates an atmosphere of pressure and interference in the performance of the magistrates' official duties. The transition from institutional criticism to personal aggression creates a dangerous precedent. Criticism of the actions of state bodies is a fundamental right in a democracy, but it must be reasoned, justified and honorable, not personal and discrediting.
The Association of Prosecutors in Bulgaria calls for compliance with the principle of separation of powers. Civil and media criticism is permissible, but it must be constructive, reasoned and within the framework of the right to free expression, and not personal discredit.
The Association of Prosecutors in Bulgaria will continue to uphold the professionalism and independence of all prosecutors who perform their duty daily, apply the law impartially, in the interest of society, and will oppose any attempts at pressure, undermining the authority and politicization of justice.