Prosecutor General asks Parliament to lift the immunity of MP and former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov

Bulgaria’s Prosecutor General, Ivan Geshev, has submitted a request to the Parliament to lift the immunity of GERB-UDF MP and former Prime Minister, Boyko Borissov, the Prosecutor’s office said on June 2.

Last week, the Prosecutor's Office proposed to the Prosecutor General to submit this request because of the pre-trial proceedings in the Barcelonagate case. The Prosecutor's Office said it had gathered evidence of a crime under Article 253 of the Criminal Code - money laundering.

The reasons for today's request state that it is necessary to carry out investigative actions in connection with Barcelonagate case, including summoning Boyko Borissov as a defendant. As he is a sitting MP, this cannot happen without Parliament voting to lift his immunity.

"The Prosecutor General of the Republic of Bulgaria has submitted to the registry of the 49th National Assembly a request to lift the immunity of MP and former Prime Minister B.B. on the proposal of the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office", the statement says.

By decision of the Central Election Commission dated 8th of April 2023, Boyko Borissov was declared a Member of the Parliament and after taking the oath on April 12, he became a person with political immunity.

In accordance with the provision of Article 70 of the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria and in accordance with Article 136, paragraph 3, in par. 1 of the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly, initiation of criminal prosecution against an MP is possible only with the permission of the National Assembly or with the written consent of the MP in question.