Head of Sofia Appellate Court Implicated with Octopus Gang

The Head of the Sofia Appellate Court, Veselin Pengezov (r), denies allegations he is connected with the notorious crime group codenamed “Octopus.” Photo by BGNES

The Head of the Sofia Appellate Court, Veselin Pengezov, is on paid leave over a probe of his alleged ties with the organized crime.

Pengezov reported the news during a Thursday press conference, just one day after Interior Minister, Tsvetan Tsvetanov, announced that there is a possibility a high-ranking magistrate had been part of the crime group codenamed “Octopus,” but declined to provide a name. Media reports were quick to connect Pengezov with Tsvetanov's information

Former undercover agent of the National Agency for State Security (DANS), Aleksei Petrov and 13 other individuals were arrested on February 10 during the special police operation “Octopus” and were charged with various crimes.

Pengezov says he had filed a request with the Chief Prosecutor to verify all media reports he has ties with the group, adding the DANS Director, Tsvetelin Yovchev, had personally informed him about an anonymous signal received by the Agency.

“If Tsvetanov wishes to arrest me, let him come, see how exactly he is going to do that. I never spoke with Petrov and do not know him or any of the other people, who were detained,” Pengezov insists.

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