Bulgarian Lobbyist 'Krasio the Black': My Trial Is Farce

Crime | April 11, 2011, Monday // 12:40|  views

The Bulgarian court held another session in the perjury trial against the court lobbyist Krasimir Georgiev, aka "Krasio the Black". Photo by BGNES

Notorious judicial system lobbyist from the northern Bulgarian city of Pleven, Krasimir Georgiev, declared Monday he could not wait to offer explanations before the magistrates in his trial.

Despite the defendant's impatience, the Sofia City Court ruled to hear Georgiev in his perjury case on June 16.

Georgiev's indictment states that on June 24, 2009, he told the interrogating prosecutor he did not know any magistrates while later evidence showed he had many phone calls and meetings with judges and magistrates.

Defense attorney, Hristo Botev, announced for the media Monday that the other case against his client – for trading influence has been dismissed while the prosecutor's office explained it has been changed to charges of tax crimes. Georgiev aka Krasio the Black was charged in February with tax evasion in the amount of BGN 95 000.

The scandal involving Georgiev broke in the summer of 2009, when the Member of the Supreme Judicial Council (VSS), Ivan Kolev, revealed Krasio offered a number of magistrates to secure their high-ranking positions in exchange for cash. Several judges and magistrates, including Supreme ones, have been dismissed or resigned in the aftermath over proven contacts with Georgiev.

Ivan Dimov, a former VSS member, who is one of those fired, appeared as a witness Monday, saying there have been suspicions of VSS lobbying, but those against him were unfounded.

When asked by the judge to elaborate what he meant by lobbying, Dimov replied ministers, Members of the Parliament, and magistrates - a very large number of affluent individuals, have called VSS.
The witness explained he met Georgiev 2 years ago in a coffee shop in downtown Sofia through another fired VSS member, Stoyko Stoev, who is expected to take the witness stand at the next session.

Dimov insisted that if it wasn't for the scandal he would have never been able to recognize the defendant. Phone records show the two have spoken 30 times, but the magistrate pointed out several seconds cannot count as conversation.

The witness further informed Georgiev wanted to use him to get introduced to the Mayor of Sliven, Yordan Lechkov, because Sliven is his native town.

Krasio the Black declined any comments on the above claim, saying the entire case was a farce and he could not wait for the conclusion. He further proclaimed he would tell the truth before the magistrates, insisting the protocol from his interrogation is incomplete with 3 to 4 questions and answers missing.

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Tags: Krasimir Georgiev, Krasio the Black, magistrates, Sofia City Court, Supreme Judicial Council, perjury, tax evasion, VSS, Ivan Dimov, Stoyko Stoev

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