Judicial Watchdog to Vote on New Sofia City Court Chair Next Week

Bulgaria's Supreme Judicial Council (VSS) is to determine on Thursday next week who will take over as interim head of the Sofia City Court, Yasen Todorov, from the Ethics Committee at the VSS, has said.

Todorov's interview with public broadcaster BNT followed a VSS step to remove the court's chairperson Vladimira Yaneva from office.

Her dismissal was demanded by Chief Prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov and later also by Lozan Panov, who heads the Supreme Court of Cassation (VKS). Tsatsarov cited the so-called "Worms" affair in which Yaneva allegedly approved wiretapping on protesters in the 2014 mass anti-government demonstration.

Todorov, however, warned against blaming Yaneva for all flaws of the judicial system and claiming she has full responsibility in the surveillance scandal.

"Chairs of district courts are between a rock and a hard place. If they allow [special surveillance devices], they could later be accused for aiding illicit activity. If they decline [to do so], they run the risk of being accused they foiled a probe."

"When public opinion comes in the courtroom, the law goes out," Todorov concluded.

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