Sofia, Bulgaria – Kiril Petkov, former Bulgarian Prime Minister and leader of the “We Continue the Change” party, is set to stand trial over allegations of abuse of power in the controversial arrest of GERB leader Boyko Borissov on March 17, 2022.
The Sofia City Court will hear the case following an indictment filed by the prosecutor’s office, months after Petkov voluntarily waived his parliamentary immunity.
Petkov is accused of overstepping his authority by directing the National Police to initiate pre-trial proceedings against Borissov, former Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov, and GERB PR officer Sevdelina Arnaudova.
According to the prosecution, this action violated legal procedures, as only investigators are authorized to launch such proceedings against members of the executive branch.
Additionally, the indictment states that a prosecutor was not immediately notified, further compounding the alleged legal breaches.
The case dates back to March 2022, when Borissov, Goranov, and Arnaudova were arrested on allegations of corruption following a police raid.
The operation was conducted late at night and was reportedly authorized by a court, despite no clear evidence of urgency justifying the arrests.
The prosecution now claims that the arrests were politically motivated and orchestrated by Petkov to damage the reputations of Borissov and his associates.
Petkov, who was Prime Minister at the time, has denied the accusations, insisting that his actions were in the interest of justice.
However, the prosecution argues that the move had negative consequences not only for the arrested individuals but also for the prestige of the Bulgarian government.
Key Evidence and Legal Proceedings
The indictment against Petkov is based on testimonies from over 40 individuals and video footage collected during the investigation. The former Prime Minister was formally handed the indictment on January 10 and given time to review the case materials.
The court will now assign a panel of judges for a pre-trial hearing, which will determine whether the case will proceed to a full trial.
If found guilty, Petkov could face legal penalties that might impact his political career and the standing of his party.
“We Continue the Change” has been a major force in Bulgarian politics, advocating for transparency and anti-corruption measures, often clashing with GERB, the party Borissov has led for over a decade.
Political Implications
The case is expected to have significant political repercussions in Bulgaria, where tensions between “We Continue the Change” and GERB remain high.
Borissov, who has led GERB through multiple elections, has long been a controversial figure in Bulgarian politics, facing accusations of corruption but never being convicted.
His brief arrest in 2022 was widely seen as an unprecedented move against a former head of government.
Petkov’s supporters argue that his actions were aimed at tackling corruption and that the charges against him are politically motivated. Critics, however, see the indictment as a necessary step to ensure legal accountability.
As Bulgaria navigates a fragile political landscape, the upcoming court proceedings will be closely watched, with potential ramifications for both the country’s judicial system and its future governance.