Prosecutor's office on the detention of former PM Borissov: Presssing charges at this moment would be in violation of the law

After former PM Boyko Borissov, his foremr PR Sevdalina Arnaudova and foremr Minister of finance, Vladislav Goranov were released from police custody in the evening on March 18, Deputy Sofia City Prosecutors Dessislava Petrova and Ivo Iliev said during a press conference that on the morning of March 18, Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office had been notified by the national police that they had initiated pre-trial proceedings for extortion.

According to the notification, it was initiated in a condition of urgency.

The notice was sent by fax and said that in connection with these proceedings, Borissov, Arnaudova and Goranov had been taken into custody.

Petrova said that six witnesses had been questioned previously in connection with these allegations, including current Prime Minister Kiril Petkov. He told about his meeting with Laura Kovesi, regarding the public allegations of gambling businessman Vassil Bozhkov that he was blackmailed by Borissov, Goranov and Arnaudova.

Bozhkov had not been questioned in connection with the case, she said. Petrova explained that the case had not been reported in its entirely and Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office had received additional materials, the relevance of which would be subject of further analysis.

They are mainly related to photographic material from media publications. The detention orders of the three persons were requested, they were received at 20.30 and it is evident from them that the three persons had already been released from custody. No arrest warrants have been reported to the Sofia city Prosecutor's Office. Possible pressing of charges at that moment would be in violation of the law, Desislava Petrova said.