The Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Bulgaria has issued a position regarding public statements by the Minister of Interior Ivan Demerdzhiev, stating that the law must be the guiding principle in every inspection and investigation.
The prosecutor's office indicates that they share Demerdzhiev's position on the need for every professional decision, conflict of interest and property declaration to be checked without compromise and subjected to public scrutiny, regardless of who the persons being checked are.
At the same time, however, the prosecutor's office defines as “unacceptable” public warnings of a minister from the executive branch to prosecutors and administrative leaders.
The state prosecution is also categorical that unfinished investigations, evidence and versions on which the prosecution and the Ministry of Interior are working together should not be publicly commented on.
According to the prosecution, such actions are in contradiction with the legal powers of the Minister of Interior. The final assessment of each investigation belongs to the court, not to the prosecution or the executive branch, the position also states.
The state prosecution emphasizes that the prosecution and the Ministry of Interior have a common goal - the implementation of the law. According to the institution, however, inter-institutional tension may prevent its achievement.
The leadership of the prosecution states that it stands behind every prosecutor and investigator who works impartially and solely within the framework of the law.