The protests in defense of Blagomir Kotsev in Varna are against the mayor's detention, but those in Sofia - against the risk of dictatorship. One of its hallmarks is the attempt to sanction the opposition in a judicial manner, said media expert Georgi Lozanov in the studio of "Hello, Bulgaria".
He believes that some institutions are behaving as if they are taking into account "not to be the next Kotsev".
We recall that the Court of Appeal left Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev and the two municipal councilors Yordan Kateliev and Nikolay Stefanov in custody. Businessman Ivaylo Marinov is released on bail. This became clear after the end of the session of the Sofia Court of Appeal. On Wednesday, Varna Deputy Mayor Dian Ivanov withdrew his testimony against Kotsev, stating that they were untrue and given under pressure from employees of the Anti-Corruption Commission.
"This is one of the effects of such trials, whether desired or not - to discipline behavior in the direction of the will of the authorities. We cannot judge the authorities and accuse them, they are innocent until proven guilty. It is clear that the "Kotsev" case leaves the feeling that the repressive mechanism of the state is not set in motion to protect society from crimes, but in the direction of private political and economic interest. Dictatorship is when a repressive model of a state itself commits crimes. The protests in Varna are against the arrest of the mayor, but those in Sofia - against the risk of dictatorship. One of its hallmarks is the attempt to sanction the opposition in a judicial manner", Lozanov commented.
According to him, Borisov's arrest is a similar example that "defeated" Kiril Petkov's cabinet. "There are no arguments to convince society that Kotsev's arrest is fair. The presence of ambassadors at Kotsev's case is extremely worrying. Our European partners share democratic values with us, so if they suspect that human rights are being violated in our country, it is clear that their diplomats will try to protect them. Bulgarians are expecting a new anti-corruption party, it will appear and will most likely be pro-Russian. Thus, most likely, the fight against Russian influence will be separated from the one with corruption. Such a project will probably come from the president," the expert pointed out.
Blagomir Kotsev, municipal councilors from the PP-DB Yordan Kateliyev and Nikolay Stefanov, as well as businessman Ivaylo Marinov were detained on charges of participation in an organized criminal group, bribery, official misconduct and money laundering. The case is being heard in Sofia, as the indictment also includes the participation of an "unknown MP". Against the backdrop of the growing scandal, a second recording of the case was leaked - with an unclear source and sender.
In turn, political analyst Georgi Harizanov commented that it cannot be claimed that the presence of ambassadors at the hearing on the "Kotsev" case means support for him.
"The change of the jurisdiction of the mayor of Varna, Blagomir Kotsev, can be called, if not abuse, then the use of the possibilities of the law and the law in a frivolous manner. Examples of political arrests of opponents include Boyko Rashkov, and the most significant - that of Boyko Borisov. I hope that Kotsev is not being treated in a revanchist manner now, but I do not think that is the case. However, a double standard is visible in many respects," said Harizanov.