With regard to the initiated case for extortion of Vasil Bozhkov, the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office (SCPO), in accordance with its commitment to inform the public, supplements the information it has provided so far through press releases and briefing: https://prb.bg/en/news/57185-press-release-of-sofia-city-prosecutor%E2%80%99s-office
Following the need to validate the flawed investigative actions, taken by an investigative body within the General Directorate National Police, investigative actions are being carried out such as interrogation of witnesses of search and seizure, examination of material evidence and interrogation of other witnesses.
Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office prepared a proposal to the International Department within the Supreme Cassation Prosecutor’s Office, to send a mutual legal assistance request to the United Arab Emirates for interrogation of Vasil Bozhkov in his capacity of a witness by video conference, based on the principle of reciprocity. The principle of reciprocity means that the UAE should consider whether to accept the legal assistance request on the basis of this principle.
A condition for the acceptance of the request is the assessment of the UAE for the admissibility of such an interrogation in accordance with their legislation. Only in this way it is possible to collect testimony in a lawful manner, as a connection only through technical means - Skype, Viber, etc., would not have legal consequences and the collected data could not be used as evidence.
In the course of the investigation, other witnesses related to the investigated circumstances of the pre-trial proceedings are to be questioned.
The work on the case continues through the performance of active procedural actions. The Bulgarian society will be informed periodically.