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MEPs are not giving up on the idea of getting answers to a series of uncomfortable questions from Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and Attorney General Ivan Geshev. The two missed the hearing in the special group for monitoring democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights in the European Parliament, but the MEPs sent them the questions remotely.
The EP group, which is part of the Committee on Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), has put 29 additional questions to the Bulgarian institutions, according to its website. Among the questions are about “Barcelonagate”, as well as the recordings and photos of the prime minister’s drawer in Boyana, where you can see wads of 500 euros and gold bars. Borissov said during the tour with his jeep that the photos were ready.
Chief prosecutor Ivan Geshev was asked if the Bulgarian prosecutor’s office was working on an investigation into money laundering related to the house in Barcelona. The investigation questions what stage it is at, because the signal was sent by the Spaniards in 2019. The Bulgarian prosecutor’s office announced that it was contacted after the publication of the article in El Periódico in February.
“Several months ago, recordings were released in the media. In them, a voice similar to that of Prime Minister Borissov threatens to “burn” an opposition politician who is currently our fellow MEP (Elena Yoncheva, editor’s note). Is there an investigation or investigation into this case? And if so, what phase is it in? ”Ask MEPs.
There is a question about the leaked photos and recordings of Borisov. “The Bulgarians witnessed various recordings and photographs in the media. But not all of them are anonymous, some were sent by the Prosecutor’s Office, although they were part of the investigations, and others before the initiation of the investigations. How do you assess this practice?” It is the question of the MEPs to Geshev.
They want to know if the attorney general is willing to correct the false information posted on the prosecutor’s website that the hearing was at his initiative. “In fact, the group decided to hold this meeting and invited the attorney general, who sent a deputy,” the MEPs explained.
The Bulgarian government has been asked about the idea of a new constitution and the failure of the European Court of Human Rights in 2009 to implement Kolevi v. Bulgaria, which establishes the problem of the uncontrolled Attorney General. One wonders what does the proposed new constitution require that the judiciary have the right to propose laws. “In most countries, the judiciary enforces the laws, it does not create them. This is part of the separation of powers. What does this reform require?” MEPs wonder.
Your question on the state of the country’s media cites the Council of Europe’s annual report that the media environment is deteriorating, media ownership is opaque, and the media market is dominated by oligarchs using the media. to politically influence and denigrate critics and opponents. The press is owned by a group of political companies.
“There are serious concerns about the concentration of media ownership, and Bulgaria ranks 111th on the media freedom index. Journalists report threats.” What will the government do to increase transparency of ownership, promote pluralism of property and ensure the safety of journalists? “asked MEPs.
They also want to know why it is proposed that the president not intervene in the procedure for appointing a chief prosecutor and presidents of the two supreme courts. “The role of the president has never been the subject of recommendations or analysis in the reports of the European Commission or the Venice Commission. What is the OBJETIVE? They ask.
The president of the group, the Dutch MEP Sofia int Veld, explained to “Sega” that so far only responses have been received from the Commission for Protection against Discrimination, to which some of the questions refer.
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