SJC rejected the proposal for the removal of Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev from the post

After more than 8 hours of discussion on July 22, the Supreme Judicial Council decided that Ivan Geshev remains.

The proposal to remove Geshev from the post of Chief Prosecutor was submitted last week by caretaker Justice Minister Yanaki Stoilov. The judicial council members debated whether the caretaker minister had the powers to file such signals and whether it was possible to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the Chief Prosecutor.

The caretaker Minister of Justice entered the Supreme Judicial Council with the firm insistence that the case with the early termination of the term of office of the Prosecutor General be resolved today.

The Council adopted the agenda unanimously and without objection to the item. In the debate, however, there was a dispute over whether the Minister of Justice had the right to make such a request.

Some council members insisted that the minister did not have such powers. Atanaska Disheva argued that just as she could nominate candidates for chief prosecutor and chairperson of supreme courts, he/she could also propose early termination of the term of office. She was supported by Boyan Magdalinchev and Tsvetanka Pashkunova, who stressed, however, that the request was not motivated and if it is discussed on the merits, the Minister will have to supplement it and point out specific actions of the Chief Prosecutor that have damaged the prestige of the judiciary.

We did not discuss the issues raised in relation to the violations. The fact is, however, such an event provoked ... to protect the presidential institution, which was insulted and humiliated ..., said Lozan Panov, chairman of the Supreme Court of Cassation.

Ivan Geshev stressed that prosecutors and investigators entered the Presidency after permission from the court.

They talked for 15 minutes with the Chief Secretary, who introduced them and took them to the offices, he added.

In the end, 12 members of the SJC rejected the request as inadmissible.

This is an addition to the law, but it opens a discussion that will continue, said Prof. Yanaki Stoilov, caretaker Minister of Justice.

The goal is politically illegitimate. Someone wants to control part of the judiciary, said Ivan Geshev, Chief Prosecutor.

Geshev also said that since 2016 the Prosecutor's office has not been centralized and the Chief Prosecutor cannot influence various investigations.

While the SJC was debating, there was a protest under their windows of the building, and in Parliament the topic provoked a dispute between "Democratic Bulgaria" and the MRF over who exactly is undermining the prestige of the judiciary.

For now, the issue seems over. Whether a new request will follow and by who will submit it remains to be seen.