Candidate for Bulgarian Special Tribunal Chair Dies Suddenly

Haskovo District Court Chair Rosen Rusev, who was involved in several scandals, had suddenly passed away. Photo by Darik News

The former Chair of the Haskovo Regional Court, Rosen Rusev, who was investigated for abuse of power, had suddenly passed away Thursday evening.

A heart problem is listed as the cause of death.

Rusev had been transported as an emergency case Thursday to the hospital in Plovdiv, after fainting at work, but the doctors were unsuccessful in attempts to save his life.

Rusev's name came in the spotlight as candidate for Chair of the Special Appellate Tribunal, a candidature later withdrew from the Supreme Judicial Council, VSS.

The Supreme Prosecutor's Office of Cassations began a probe against Rusev on charges he traveled abroad seven times without being sent there on business or taking leave. The trips happened between September 2007 and December 2009. He used his official car and traveled in it 1 700 km.

In the aftermath, VSS removed Rusev from the post Chair of the Haskovo Regional Court.

The Special Appellate Tribunal is going to try on appeal the rules of the specialized court or anti-mafia tribunal, which is a first-instance criminal court set up to hear high-profile organized crime and corruption cases.

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