Resignation of Sofia Investigative Service Head Rejected

Bulgaria's top judicial body has rejected the resignation of Petyo Petyov, who heads the Sofia Investigative Service.

The motion was tabled on Thursday morning by Chief Prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov, but was turned down by an overwhelming majority at the Supreme Judicial Council (VSS): 12-4, 2 abstained.

The watchdog, which includes judges and prosecutors, argued Petrov's resignation would hinder prospective disciplinary action against him, according to Dariknews.bg.

Petrov will now retain a post.

He is subject to a probe over an affair that involves former Defense Minister Nikolay Tsonev and two other officials.

Under a ruling of the Supreme Court of Cassation (VKS) Petrov provoked Tsonev, a Finance Ministry official and a judge to pay a bribe.

No results of an inspection started into the case have yet been made public.

VSS members later came under fire from Tsatsarov, saying the judicial body should have launched disciplinary action well beforehand.

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