Bulgaria Scandalous Judge Ousted as Court Head

After proven conflict of interests, Krasimir Arshinkov, is no longer Chair of the District Court in the Southern city of Blagoevgrad. Photo by DarikNews

Bulgaria's Supreme Judicial Council (VSS) decided Thursday to not reappoint Krasimir Arshinkov as Chair of the District Court in the Southern city of Blagoevgrad.

Arshinkov's hopes for a second term have been cut short after only 7 out of the 20 VSS members in attendance supported his candidature. (7 abstained and 6 voted against, Darik radio reports.) VSS further decided to reopen the competition for the job.

Arshinkov appeared alone at VSS Thursday, after his rival, Dimitar Uzunov, withdrew his application 2 weeks ago.

Arshinkov's name has been involved in several scandals at the Blagoevrad Court,which were revealed after a VSS probe, triggered by media reports.

In December, Bulgaria's Justice Minister, Margarita Popova, announced that following the ‘Krasio from Pleven’ magistrate scandal, a second “brokerage” scheme has been uncovered in the Blagoevgrad District Court. Popova was backed by the leader of the Conservative Order, Law and Justice (RZS) party and Member of the Parliament, Yane Yanev, who claimed that an individual nicknamed "Badzhanaka” is serving as the Blagoevgrad Court's “broker.”

The commission, appointed by VSS, had proven that Arshinkov and his wife, Mihaela, a top Blagoevgrad lawyer, are involved in large-scale conflict of interests. The Blagoevgrad magistrate contested the findings, triggering even angrier reactions in the judicial circles.

RZS appealed to VSS to not reappoint Arshinkov, which was followed by the same request on the part of the Union of Bulgarian Judges.

Yanev's party said in a declaration that the judge is a stark example of the feudal system reigning over Bulgaria's district courts, pointing out Arshinkov has hired as magistrates all his wife's friend so that they can rule in favor of rich defendants.

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