US Congressman Warren Davidson has called on the US Treasury Department to impose sanctions on Bulgarian Attorney General Ivan Geshev over suspicions of corruption and negligence of Magnitsky sanctions. He writes this in a copy of the deputy’s letter, posted by Ivan Hristanov, deputy of “Continue the Change” on Facebook.
In his post, Hristanov does not question the authenticity of the letter.
“These actions (by the Bulgarian prosecutor’s office) threaten the stability and security of NATO allies in Europe and are aimed at undermining the Magnitsky Act, which has become one of the US government’s most effective tools against foreign officials and shady men ‘business engaged in corrupt practices and human rights abuses,’ wrote Davidson, who is a member of the House Finance Committee.
“The Attorney General’s flagrant disregard for US sanctions is unacceptable and must be addressed,” Davidson urged in his letter to US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
“The use of the prosecution’s leadership as a weapon in the service of organized crime and corruption represents a serious threat to the stability of an important NATO ally and, in general, of the entire Balkan region”, adds Davidson.
In March 2021, two US Senators from the Foreign Affairs Committee issued a historic joint statement that rampant corruption, lack of media freedom, and politicization of the justice system threaten US-Bulgarian relations.
Four months later, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act against Delyan Peevski and Vasil Bozhkov. Five other Bulgarians were also fined.
Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev said that the Magnitsky sanctions are an administrative and political tool of the United States, which does not produce mandatory legal effect in Bulgaria.
Ivan Hristanov writes that in the deputy’s letter “a direct link is established between the behavior and actions of Ivan Geshev, the decisions of the Bulgarian court, the seizure of business and the patronage of people from behind the scenes!”
“This is perhaps a hint of Magnitsky’s new ‘nominations’, says Hristanov.
