CHAIR OF BULGARIA’S SUPREME COURT OF CASSATION DEMANDS CLARIFICATION ON THE ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES TO THE CASE OF MAYOR OF GALICHE

The Chairperson of Bulgaria’s Supreme Court of Cassation, Lozan Panov, opted for clarification of the circumstances related to the assignment of the team of judges that released the controversial mayor of Galiche village, Tsenko Chokov, on bail. On 21st of February, Panov said that it was important for a court such as the Specialized Court of Appeals to have clear system for random assignment of cases.

He said he would consider whether an inspection on the case should be conducted or not. He initiated talks with the management of the court, but said he also wanted to hear the opinion of the ordinary magistrates as well. The investigation against the mayor lasted 7 months and the trial should begin on Thursday.

Tsenko Chokov, the mayor of the Bulgarian village of Galiche in the Northern Bulgarian district of Vratsa, one of his sons and 10 other people were detained in a specialized police operation on 26th of May 2016.

According to information from the prosecutor’s office, the mayor was suspected for being involved in an organized criminal group for frauds and setting cars on fire.

The mayor had been investigated for alleged involvement in a criminal group for usury, coercion in the form of intimidation and setting cars on fire.

The investigation started two months earlier in 2016 and the authorities had conducted searches, seized money, documents, telephones and other evidence.

On 13th of February 2017, the Specialized Court of Appeals ruled to release Tsenko Chokov from custody on bail of 10 000 BGN. The decision triggered a protest by some residents of Galiche village.