Home Ministry and Prosecutor’s Office Ordered to Pay Over BGN 48 Million Due to ‘Octopus’ Campaign

By decision of the Pernish District Court, the Home Ministry and the Prosecutor’s Office were ordered to pay more than BGN 48 million to the insurance company “Lev Ins” for material and non-pecuniary damage caused by the action “Octopus” more than ten Years ago.

In 2010, at the time of GERB’s first cabinet, the company’s offices were sealed and their equipment seized on the argument that one of the defendants – Alexey Petrov – was connected to the company. Petrov was arrested and of the two open cases, one was closed and the former Barret was acquitted in the other.

In their complaint, Lev Inns claims that, due to the actions of the investigators, there was a public perception that the company was engaged in illegal activities, which in turn led to a loss of customer trust and as a result , to poor financial results for the company. Due to the action and the documents and equipment seized, it was nearly impossible for them to resume their activities. And the seized was held for a long time by the investigators and has not been returned despite all the requests and instances.

“Lev Inns” filed the case in 2015, but due to repeated appeals, it was sent to Pernik for consideration. Firstly, all the judges of the Sofia City Court recused themselves, as the company’s claims are also directed against the City Court.

In 2019 the case was sent to Pernik and assigned to a judge, but she was assigned to the Sofia Appeal Court. The materials go to a second judge, who is also seconded, but to the city court. Therefore, the case goes to the judge Maria Milusheva, who decides it in the first instance, reports bird.bg