Prosecutor's Office probes 25 cases and investigations related to murdered Martin Bozhanov, widely known as "The Notary"

Acting Prosecutor General, Borislav Sarafov, ordered official checks into cases and pre-trial proceedings related to Martin Bozhanov – known under the nickname “The Notary“, who was shot dead in Sofia on January 31.

A check in the Prosecutor's Office registry system shows that from 2004 to date, there are 25 files and pre-trial proceedings related to Bozhanov, in which he was a party - accused, complainant, witness, etc.

The majority of the cases and pre-trial proceedings have been at the Sofia District Prosecutor's Office and are related to real estate fraud and other frauds committed by Bozhanov. One of the cases was of high public interest in connection with a journalistic investigation, in which a refusal to initiate pre-trial proceedings was issued.

On the basis of separate materials from the same case, the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office, in the second half of 2023, initiated pre-trial proceedings for leading an organized criminal group for committing property fraud and for exercising unlawful influence on the activities of a public authority,. The group operated in the period 2010-2020.

In connection with numerous refusals to initiate pre-trial proceedings, issued mainly by prosecutors from Sofia District Prosecutor’s Office as well as from other Prosecutor's Offices, the Appellate Prosecutor's Offices were assigned to review all acts in order to establish the law compalince of the actions of the supervising magistrates. The timeliness and rhythm of the files and cases and the timely exercise of powers by investigators and prosecutors will also be the subject of checks.

Murder of Martin Bozhanov: Why was he untouchable to justice despite reports of his criminal activities?