“Now is the time for the Bulgarian magistrates to show that they are independent and will not allow any violation of basic constitutional and European values. Now it is a turning point when the judiciary must be cleansed of any unregulated attempts to violate fundamental principles such as separation of powers, rule of law”
“As the Prosecutor General, I have worked and will continue to work only and only for Bulgaria and for the people of Bulgaria, I will finish my mandate, whatever it may takes, because I want my children, the children of my friends and your children to live in a normal country, not in a "conquered country", to quote the media term”, said Ivan Geshev.
He explained that today, 22.05.2023, he gave his explanations to the supervising prosecutor from the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office in connection with the inspection of a signal filed by his deputy Borislav Sarafov. Earlier, Ivan Geshev had given information on a case of trading in influence and political corruption.
The Prosecutor General described the attempted assassination against him, carried out on 1 May 2023, as an attack against the state and the fundamental values on which any democratic society is built.
Ivan Geshev explained in detail the events that have taken place since 1 May this year. "I am obliged to tell the truth because the truth will make us free," he said. He stressed that there was an attempt to divert the topic - who tried to kill the Prosecutor General.
Ivan Geshev announced that he would ask for the recusal of members of the SJC, as well as part of the upcoming meeting of the Council to be closed because of the information that will be discussed.
Regarding the attempts of pressure and threats, the Prosecutor General said: I am not running away, I am fighting. I am proud of my lineage, my origins.
The Prosecutor General stressed that the Bulgarian magistrates have nothing to be ashamed of and can be proud that they continue to work in the interest of the citizens. "There are a small number - I can list them on the fingers of my two hands - people from the judiciary, from the Supreme Judicial Council or elsewhere who should be ashamed," the Prosecutor General said and declared that he will continue to work in the interest of Bulgaria and he will finish his mandate.
"I am proud to be the Prosecutor General and I have my colleagues behind me who continue to do their job calmly. I am proud to be Bulgarian and I will fight for Bulgaria and the Bulgarian people."
The briefing featured a presentation on correspondence between the Prosecutor General and a member of the SJC on the events following the attempted attack on 1 May this year.
Written correspondence in a mobile application between Ivan Geshev, Prosecutor General of the Republic of Bulgaria and Yordan Stoev, member of the Prosecutorial College of the SJC.
Written correspondence in a mobile application on 13.05.2023 between Ivan Geshev, Prosecutor General of the Republic of Bulgaria and Yordan Stoev - member of the Prosecutorial College of the SJC.
Written correspondence in a mobile application on 14.05.2023 between Ivan Geshev, Prosecutor General of the Republic of Bulgaria and Boyko Borisov - MP from the GERB group in the 49th National Assembly.
Letter received by Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev on 13.05.2023.
The information provided to the media is in connection with the inspections carried out by the Supreme Cassation Prosecutor’s Office and the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office under Article 145 of the JSA.
In view of the fact that no pre-trial proceedings have been initiated under the Criminal Procedure Code, no authorization from the supervising prosecutor is required.
The information is provided in view of the particular public importance of the case, which is probably related to an attempt to seize the judiciary, which is contrary to the legal provisions, European values and the principles of the rule of law.