Bulgarian Ex-Defense Min Faces 7 Years in Jail

Bulgaria's Former Defense Minister Nikolay Tsonev. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency

The Sofia Prosecutor's Office has demanded a 7-year prison sentence for former Bulgarian Defense Minister Nikolay Tsonev in a highly publicized bribery trial.

Former Chief Secretary of the Finance Ministry Tencho Popov faces 6 years in jail, while Judge Petar Santirov may be sentenced to 5 years.

The three defendants may also have to pay BGN 15 000 in fines each.

Tsnovev, Santirov and Popov have been charged with attempting to bribe investigator Petyo Petrov with EUR 20 000 to get a positive outcome of another investigation against Tsonev.

Tsonev, member of the former three-way coalition cabinet (2009-2009) was arrested in April 2010. He has been already cleared of malfeasance charges for alleged crimes committed in 1999. The former Defense Minister was also acquitted on a count of criminal breach of trust committed in 1999 in his capacity as an employee of the Defense Ministry.

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