EditBalkan prosecutors’ gathering serves as fig leaf for Bulgaria’s host alleged illegitimacy
Bulgaria's Supreme Court of Cassation ruled that acting prosecutor general Borislav Sarafov has been holding office unlawfully
A new Permanent Balkan Prosecutors’ Platform is being created following a regional forum in Sofia earlier this week, bringing together the chief prosecutors of several Balkan states at a time when Bulgaria’s own acting prosecutor general faces a legitimacy scandal.
The Fourth Forum of Chief Prosecutors of the Balkan States, hosted by Bulgaria’s acting chief prosecutor Borislav Sarafov, concluded with an agreement to institutionalise the regional format into a standing platform that will meet at least twice a year. The participants – top prosecutors from Bulgaria, Turkey, Albania, Slovenia, Kosovo, Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro, pledged to strengthen judicial cooperation, improve coordination with Eurojust and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, and develop joint training and investigations in priority areas such as human trafficking, corruption, cybercrime, and environmental offences.
They also committed to enhancing cooperation in countering illegal migration, organised crime, and cryptocurrency-related fraud; updating and harmonising their legislation to reflect new forms of criminal activity; and exchanging information in real time to ensure security, stability, and justice across the Balkans.
The gathering in Sofia featured video remarks from European Commissioner for democracy, justice, the rule of law and consumer protection Michael McGrath. Eurojust President Michael Schmidt and Roel Dona, Secretary General of the International Association of Prosecutors were in Sofia for the event. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev also attended, alongside representatives of the Supreme Judicial Council and professional associations of prosecutors and investigators.
Participants in Sofia emphasised the need for greater Balkan judicial cooperation. Albanian chief prosecutor Olsian Çela, Slovenia’s Katarina Bergant, Turkey’s Muhsin Şentürk, and Kosovo’s acting prosecutor Besim Kelmendi all underscored the importance of coordinated efforts to combat cross-border criminal networks.
The establishment of the Permanent Balkan Prosecutors’ Platform is expected to formalise this cooperation and offer a framework for operational dialogue, information sharing, and joint investigations. Whether the new mechanism will translate into genuine judicial independence and transparency – particularly in countries where the prosecution remains politically influenced, remains an open question.
Domestic controversy over Sarafov
While the forum’s conclusions focus on transnational cooperation, its context in Bulgaria drew equal attention. The meeting came just days after the Bulgarian Supreme Court of Cassation ruled that acting prosecutor general Borislav Sarafov has been holding office unlawfully. According to law amendments adopted earlier this year, his interim mandate was due to expire on 21 July, but Sarafov refused to step down, citing an internal decision of the Prosecutors’ College of the Supreme Judicial Council asserting that the law did not apply to him.
The legal standoff has deepened Bulgaria’s long-standing institutional crisis in the prosecution service – an issue closely monitored by Brussels under the EU’s rule of law mechanisms. Critics argue that Sarafov’s persistence undermines the principle of legality and exposes the fragility of Bulgaria’s judicial governance.
Speaking to EUalive’s partner Segаbg.com, prominent human rights lawyer Mihail Ekimdzhiev condemned the participation of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev alongside acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov at the recent international prosecutors’ forum in Sofia.
According to Ekimdzhiev, the Supreme Court’s ruling that Sarafov lacks legitimacy makes his continued presence in office – and the government’s endorsement of it, a blatant disregard for the rule of law. “The law is clear,” he said, “no one can serve as acting prosecutor general for more than six months. Since 21 July, Mr Sarafov has been acting as a self-appointed official, unlawfully exercising powers he no longer possesses.” He compared Sarafov’s conduct to that of “bandits who put on police uniforms to carry out their crimes,” arguing that his actions place the entire prosecution service outside the law and turn it into “a diversionary group undermining the very foundations of legality.”
Dark origins of the gathering
The Balkan prosecutors’ forum itself has controversial origins. It was first established six years ago at the initiative of Bulgaria and Turkey, during the tenure of former chief prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov, another controversial figure. At the time, Tsatsarov maintained close ties with Ankara and held multiple meetings with his Turkish counterpart Mehmet Akarca. The initiative coincided with the height of Turkey’s post-coup purge under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, during which Sofia assisted in the extradition of several Turkish nationals accused of links to the Gülen movement – in one case defying a Bulgarian court ruling that blocked the handover of businessman Abdullah Büyük.
Updated: October 9, 2025 - 07:00
