20,000 BNG bail and charges against former Ministry of Interior’s Secretary General Zhivko Kotsev

Sofia City Prosecutor's Office said on April 17 that it pressed charges against former Ministry of Interior Secretary General, Zhivko Kotsev, for participating in an organised criminal group involving former Head of the Customs Agency, Petya Bankova, father and son, Marin Dimitrov and Stefan Dimitrov.

Kotsev was released on a bail of BGN 20,000.

Shortly after 2 p.m.,former Secretary General Zhivko Kotsev appeared at the anti-corruption commission, accompanied by two lawyers. Kotsev decided to enter through the back entrance. He was laconic and did not want to answer questions about the leaked photos of him in public and the scandals surrounding the smuggling channels in the customs.

"You will get answers to all the questions, have patience," said Zhivko Kotsev, a former Ministry of Interior Secretary General.

Kotsev spent nearly four hours in the anti-corruption commission. On his way out, he tried to avoid the media.

His lawyer, Ilian Vassilev, also did not want to disclose details about Kotsev's stay in the commission and what questions he was asked.

"The only body that can provide information is the Prosecutor's office,” he said.

“We are certain that Zhivko Kotsev has not committed any crime. I expect you to be present when Mr. Zhivko Kotsev is acquitted or when the charges against him are dropped” Vassilev told journalists.

Caretaker cabinet proposed to President Radev to issue a decree to dismiss the Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Interior