Bulgaria Supreme Judges Mull Expediting High-profile Cases

The case against Mario Nikolov, who is charged with draining millions from the EU SAPARD fund, is considered the most scandalous one over its numerous postponements. Photo by BGNES

The magistrates from Bulgaria's Supreme Judicial Council (VSS) are in the central city of Veliko Tarnovo Friday to discuss with judges, prosecutors and investigators the reasons for the notorious delays in high-profile court cases.

5 main groups of factors were pointed out by the Chair of the VSS Committee for Organizing the Work of the Courts, Plamen Stoilov. They are related mostly to the behavior of the sides in the process - failure of defendants, claimants and lawyers to appear, presentation of doctor's notes, delays in submission of expert reports, mistakes in the subpoenas, and failure to complete court orders on time.

The case against Mario Nikolov, who is charged with draining millions from the EU SAPARD fund, was defined as the most scandalous one, with numerous postponements, which, VSS says, are due to delay of court orders abroad.

VSS is currently monitoring 250 cases, 50 of which are also monitored by the European Commission. 5 of those cases are in the city of Veliko Tarnovo.

The technical report of the EC regarding the state of the Bulgarian judicial system is expected next week and VSS says they foresee a positive assessment.

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