The Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Zhivko Kotsev, submitted his resignation under pressure and is now withdrawing it.
This was learned from an extraordinary briefing in the Council of Ministers, in which he and the resigned Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov participated. Without going into specifics, Kotsev made it clear that his office and home were searched, probably in connection with the case against the head of customs, Petya Bankova. It was not clear whether he was questioned as a witness.
However, according to Denkov, the chief secretary was without a phone for some time because someone took it from him. The prime minister even sent a letter to the head of DANS to ask where Kotsev was, since no one could contact the general secretary.
The prosecutor’s office did not report that Kotsev was questioned, nor that his home was searched. A day earlier, rumors had spread that he had been arrested and therefore had no contact with him.
The action in the “Customs” agency was carried out by the State Customs Service and the Anti-Corruption Commission under the leadership of the prosecutor’s office. So far, scant information on the case has been reported only by the state prosecution. Bankova is accused of participating in a criminal group along with three other people, and her remand will be reviewed by the court on Saturday. The suspicions are of smuggling, money laundering and corruption crimes.
DANS traditionally do not speak, and the anti-corruption commission has been without an official chairman for over a year. The structure is led by the deputies of its former head and former chief prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov. Denkov claims that he was not informed about the action at customs.
“I withdraw my resignation, it was provoked and submitted under enormous psychological and moral pressure. I see what is happening in the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. There is a huge campaign against me, there is a huge army that wants to discredit me as a person and a professional, me and my relatives”said Kotsev.
It was understood from Denkov’s words that Kotsev told the president about the pressure exerted on him. “The dismissal procedure will not be initiated, the president knows. He agrees that under the circumstances this (the release of Kotsev – note ed.) is not right”added the prime minister in resignation.
“It turned out that he actually applied for his resignation under pressure – both from the Home Secretary and from very high-ranking people in the prosecution.”Denkov said.
A day earlier, “Capital” reported that Kotsev had two meetings with the chief prosecutor Borislav Sarafov. The chief secretary did not confirm, but did not deny that the pressure came from the head of public prosecution.
“I will not go into details, but the resignation is not my personal act. Regarding the facts – on April 3, I was invited to assist in criminal proceedings. I appeared at the KONPI, at the prosecutor’s office. At a later stage, certain procedural actions were carried out in my office and in my home.What is claimed – about colossal cash and other ridiculous claims is not true“, pointed out Kotsev.
Earlier today, “Continuing the change – Democratic Bulgaria” reacted most sharply to the proposal that the current interior minister Kalin Stoyanov should remain in office.
This decision was clearly dictated by Boyko Borisov and Delyan Peevski, who since November have fiercely protected Stoyanov from PP-DB’s demands for his resignation.
“Through the participation in the government of Kalin Stoyanov, they provide an “umbrella” over the buyers of votes for GERB and DPS“, DB co-chairman Atanas Atanasov said earlier today.
Glavchev himself announced that he had the most doubts about Stoyanov:
“My most difficult decision, but I hesitated the most, I won’t hide it, was with Kalin Stoyanov. Yesterday, the resignation of the professional leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in the person of the chief secretary, absolutely tipped the scales in his favor. Imagine what would have happened, if the professional leadership also resigns and we change the political one in the person of the minister – I cannot take such a risk”.
Already a day ago, unofficial information appeared that the resignation of the general secretary was reached after serious pressure was exerted on him. Yesterday evening, PP-DB MP Boyko Rashkov announced that the formation does not know where Zhivko Kotsev is and they cannot contact him by phone.
It is not clear how Kotsev will work in the Ministry of Internal Affairs with Minister Stoyanov.
“This is not a question of personal relations, but of purely official ones. The Ministry of the Interior has tasks to perform and we are obliged to work as a team. I do not deny this thing. I have nothing against whether it will be Minister Stoyanov or Minister Ivanov, we must fulfill our obligations according to lawsaid the Chief Secretary.
On Friday, Denkov commented that he himself had not heard from the force chief for a long time and had lost his trust in him.
Kotsev said that he was not afraid for his life. He stated that years ago he was the target of an armed attack and overcame the stress.
“Every single employee of the Ministry of the Interior must be psychologically resilient, withstand all forms of stress, be flexible and meet all challenges. About 30 years ago I was the subject of an armed attack. Pain and suffering was caused to me, but overcoming fear, I survived and to this day I am before you. In other words, no, I don’t fear for my life“, said the Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
He also said that he had no information that his life was threatened, but emphasized that he expects “everything from everyone”.
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