The Union of Judges in Bulgaria responded to the attacks from the Ministry of Interior by accusing them of placing undue pressure on the judiciary. Concerns over the independence of the Bulgarian judiciary are a prominent issue in the European Union’s assessment of Bulgaria’s progress.
Todorova sued the Interior Minister for libel on February 6th, at the Sofia Regional Court. The Supreme Court of Cessation ordered the trial to be held at the court in Plovdiv because Todorova is a judge at the the Sofia City Court. Ekaterina Roglekova, the judge assigned to the case, is the chair of the Criminal Division of the Plovdiv Regional Court.
If Tsvetanov is found guilty, the prosecution will ask for a public reprimand and a US$3,350 – 10,000 fine that will be deposited into the state budget.
