Tainted Bulgarian Judge Postpones Oath of Office

Controversial Bulgarian magistrate, Veneta Markovska, who was recently elected constitutional judge, has postponed taking the oath of office in awaiting the results of a probe of all tipoffs against her.

The statement was made by Interior Minister, Tsvetan Tsvetanov, speaking Monday for the Bulgarian National Television, BNT, saying if a probe would be assigned by the Prosecutor's Office, his institution will conduct it.

"After the probe, the decision will be entirely Markovska's deal. There are institutions in Bulgaria that must react when someone turns to them for help. When citizens ask the Interior Ministry for help, we have always reacted adequately," Tsvetanov stressed, but noted currently there were no details in the case that could be of public interest.

The Minister gave high marks for Markovska's work as Deputy Chair of the Supreme Administrative Court, VAS, highlighting her competence. He pointed out that if she was dishonest, she could inflict more harm at VAS than the Constitutional Court.

Bulgarian Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, however, has reiterated calls on the magistrate to withdraw.

Markovska's nomination and following election for one of Parliament's two candidates to serve on Bulgaria's Constitutional Court raised controversy after information was leaked that she had attempted to use her influence to pressure the Ministry of Interior to suppress an investigation.

This led to the European Commission issuing a warning it could publish an emergency report for Bulgaria on the so-called Cooperation and Verification Mechanism for Corruption and Organized Crime.

Following his earlier call, Borisov said Sunday that he was asking her to kindly drop her Constitutional Court bid because it "stirred so much noise" and to just keep her post as Deputy Chair of the Supreme Administrative Court, VAS.

Many in Bulgaria say that after the allegations of corruption and trading influence, Markovska should give up being a magistrate altogether, but Borisov stressed she had the right to remain at VAS.

Last Thursday, she sent a letter to the Chair of the Constitutional Court, declaring she would take the oath of office after it is proven that her reputation as judge and person is impeccable.

Legal experts in Bulgaria have argued that her request to find the author of the tipoff and conduct a probe violates Article 6 from the Constitution, postulating that all Bulgarian citizens are equal before the law regardless of their personal and social status. They say Markovska should file a private complaint, pay all Court fees, and wait for a Court rule to clear her image.

The lawyers further point out that the Interior Ministry agreeing to search for the author of the tipoff, but refusing to investigate the information in his letter is an example of abusing the Constitution for personal interests.

Meanwhile, Veneta Markovska has continued to deny all accusations of attempting to illicitly use her influence, albeit without failing to produce a coherent alternative narrative regarding the events.

In an interview Monday, she said she still had not decided if she should withdraw, but reiterated firmly the tipoff was a false, anonymous slander.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!