Atanasov pardon: Iotova to refer case to prosecutors on Monday
The president told NOVA her office would file the referral before noon on Monday. She also said radicalising Bulgaria's foreign policy would be a serious mistake.
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The presidential office will file a referral with the prosecution service before noon on Monday over the pardon of convicted drug trafficker Ognyan Atanasov. President and presidential candidate Iliana Iotova said so in a NOVA TV interview on Sunday. The pardon dates from 2022, when Iotova was vice president. "The President's Office is not an investigative body," she said.
Iotova said she has no right to disclose the medical opinion in the case, which is why the documents are going to prosecutors. They should also examine the recording connected to the case, she said. She added that she had no information about the fight at the prison hospital.
On the Black Sea, Iotova said radicalising foreign policy would be a serious mistake and not a course Bulgaria will take. She spoke of risks to Black Sea security but not of a threat to national security. Once evidence is available, a diplomatic note or recalling the ambassador for consultations are possible, while her main goal remains a moratorium on hostilities in the Black Sea.