Former deputy mayor of Varna Dian Ivanov retracted his testimony against mayor Blagomir Kotsev.
Is the Anti-Corruption Commission acting under pressure?
"According to the Criminal Procedure Code, such a retraction of testimony does not exist. Another interrogation should be conducted. The prosecutor's office must verify whether this is true. At the moment, there is no second interrogation to be able to compare what the exact truth is. The application has no legal value. The interrogation should also be conducted before a judge," commented the former director of the National Investigation Service and former Deputy Prosecutor General Boyko Naydenov on the show "The Day ON AIR."
Dian Ivanov casts doubt
"A case like this is undermined. In itself, his testimony becomes not entirely relevant to the case. The very fact that he says he is being pressured for something is enough to cast doubt on his testimony," said Naydenov.
According to him, the operational services should collect enough evidence with legally permitted means, which should be made with the permission of the court and a recording that cannot be manipulated.
"Other people are also present during the interrogation. What exactly he said - we do not know. He may have been pressured, but he told the objective truth," Naydenov suggested.
He is of the opinion that the Court of Appeal will be correct and will not give in to emotions or pressure.
"Hardly anyone will allow themselves to pronounce differently than what is written in the law," the former deputy prosecutor general emphasized.
"Fellow magistrates should keep in mind that they are called upon to defend justice - justice is the foundation of the state. This is a professional obligation for every magistrate," Naydenov said.