Sarafov resigns as head of the National Investigation Service

Borislav Sarafov resigned as head of the National Investigation Service on May 27.

Sarafov’s resignation was accepted immediately by the prosecutors college of the Supreme Judicial Council, which at his request appointed him as an ordinary investigator.

The step follows Sarafov’s resignation on April 22 as acting Prosecutor-General.

That April resignation followed months of large-scale street protests demanding his resignation, alleging that he was serving individual political interests, just as before there were large-scale street protests against his predecessor, Ivan Geshev, on the same grounds.

In a statement posted on the website of the Prosecutor’s Office on May 27, Sarafov said that after many years in leadership positions, he believes the time has come to retire from administrative activities.

“This is a decision I made after careful consideration, including family and personal considerations. I am returning to the work from which my professional journey as a Bulgarian magistrate began, with respect for the profession and with the conviction that a person is most useful where he can work calmly, and his experience and efforts can have real meaning,” Sarafov said.

Days before Sarafov’s decision today, Prime Minister Roumen Radev, as well as Justice Minister Nikolai Naidenov, said that they would congratulate Sarafov if he decided to step down, but not just from his post, but from the system.