Ex Bulgarian Supreme Judge Found 'Guilty' of Murky Ties

The judge from the Bulgarian Supreme Judicial Council Stoyko Stoev (center) was the first to resign when the scandal with "Krasio the Black" broke full force. Photo by BGNES

The VSS and Military District Judge from Sofia, Stoyko Stoev, has been rightfully and legally dismissed for tarnishing the image of Bulgarian magistrates.

This ruling was issued by three judges from the Supreme Administrative Court, (VAS), who rejected Stoev's appeal of his forced resignation from the Supreme Judicial Council and following dismissal as magistrate over close contacts with the "businessman" Krasimir Georgiev, aka "Krasio the Black," after it was proven that he had 213 phone conversations with Krasio in the first half of 2009.

The decision is not final and can be appealed.

The three from VAS reject Stoev's claims he had been in contact with Georgiev over the building of a center for handicap children not over appointments at Courts and Prosecutor's Offices across the country on the grounds the explanation is unconvincing and it is unacceptable for a judicial employee to be involved in entrepreneurial activities.

The VAS judges further say contacts with Krasio create among the public the impression of dishonesty, impropriety and dependency of the judicial power. They also reject Stoev's position that his resignation from VSS and later dismissal as a magistrate is already a punishment and he should not face any other sanctions.

Two years ago Stoyko Stoev and Ivan Dimov were removed from VAS due to their involvement in the scandal with the notorious judicial system lobbyist, Krasimir Georgiev, aka "Krasio the Black".

Stoyko Stoev was the first to resign when the scandal broke full force last fall.

Georgiev, allegedly, acted as an intermediary, offering the "sale" of top magistrate positions against EUR 200 000 in cash.

The Krasio scandal started on June 18, 2009, when another VSS member - Ivan Kolev, revealed information that "some guy called Krasio from Pleven" promised appointments to magistrate positions in exchange for EUR 200 000. Krasio was said to be able to "guarantee" the support of 8-13 members of a total of 27 members of VSS.

30 acting high-ranking Bulgarian magistrates, and 14 candidates for top positions (5 of whom already appointed), and 4 Members of Parliament were exposed to have been in contact with Krasio after the scandal broke out.

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