Prosecutor's Office is ready to provide expert assistance in international war crimes investigations in Ukraine

The Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Bulgaria is ready to provide expert assistance in international war crimes investigations in Ukraine, if requested by us, Bulgaria’s Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev said on April 6. He presented an analysis of the results of the activities of the Prosecutor's Office in Bulgaria for the period 2019-2021, as well as expert proposals for amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code and the Criminal Code.

He pointed out that the Bulgarian Prosecutor's Office is in dialogue with the Consultative Council of European Prosecutors and will appoint a representative on the topic of "war crimes and human rights".

"We are aware that some EU countries have already started investigations. If it is necessary to provide expert assistance, we are ready to take part," Geshev said.

He added that he is in constant contact with the Ukrainian Prosecutor General, and today had a telephone conversation with the Prosecutor General of one of the Baltic states.

"We are ready to provide any support to our colleagues from Ukraine, whom we visited in December and with whom we have excellent relations. I hope that the tragedy there will end as soon as possible. We are in constant dialogue with our colleagues from Ukraine and the Prosecutor's Office will do everything possible to support them, because in difficult moments you understand who your friend is," Geshev said.

He also commented that the Prosecutor's Office is not worried about being monitored more seriously by European institutions. He is worried about tendencies that threaten the rule of law and therefore believes that there should be a more serious dialogue and more serious interaction with law enforcement authorities in the country.