„The election of the ombudsman could have happened around Easter. The question that remains is why it was so sharply accelerated now“.
This was stated to NOVA NEWS by the former justice minister and one of the candidates for the post Anton Stankov in the program „Offensive”.
According to Stankov, the motive for accelerating the procedure — the participation of the ombudsman in the committee for selecting the leadership of the Communist Party of Bulgaria — is not convincing enough.
He also commented on the current case against Varna mayor Blagomir Kotsev. Stankov stressed that the dispute over jurisdiction between the Sofia City Court and the Varna District Court is a symptom of distrust in the judicial system.
„Trust in the court is being undermined to the same extent. This speaks of its low authority“, he pointed out.
The former minister also commented on the case of Deputy Mayor Dian Ivanov, who initially testified against Kotsev, but later retracted his testimony.
„There is no legal figure for „withdrawing testimony”. If Ivanov has testified falsely, criminal proceedings should be initiated”, Stankov said.
He did not rule out the possibility that Ivanov could be brought as a defendant — whether for perjury, intimidation or even complicity in a corruption crime.
Regarding the suspicions of the use of special intelligence means (SRS) during the investigation, Stankov stated: “It is entirely possible. But it is not normal for the media to have SRS first, and not the court. This does not bring honor to the institutions“.
He recalled that the way the prosecutor's office works depends on the phase of the investigation and the scale of the potential criminal activity. Each situation requires different tactics, Stankov emphasized.
Stankov criticized political reactions and the interference of ambassadors in the judicial system.
“Justice in our country continues to be monitored. We have not met expectations. Trust is earned with results, not with slogans“, he said.