The new EC monitoring report for Bulgaria in the sphere of justice and internal affairs is expected to be published at the end of January. Often these reports that are part of the mechanism for cooperation and verification are preceded by police operations against organized crime, rise of the number of major crimes, as well as increased activity in the judicial sphere. It is all the same this time. On January 11 the decision of the government for closing the emblematic Svilengrad Customs Office near the border with Turkey comes into force. Its structures are now part of the customs in Burgas and Plovdiv and now regional customs offices in the country are 10. The decision for this step was taken in December last year after the arrest of 30 customs officers for allegedly taking bribes and as a measure to stop systematic corruption practices. The closing of the office is emblematic because it was planned to happen during the first cabinet of PM Boyko Borissov but it happened during the second.

Impressive actions against crime have taken place in other directions, too. The Ministry of Interior and the State Agency for National Security have neutralized an organized criminal group that managed to withdraw more than 2 million euro in cash, through a complex scheme for money laundering. With the assistance of European offices stealing another 5 million euro was prevented. Simultaneously, internal cleansing in law enforcement agencies took place and two employees of the Interior Ministry and an agent of SANS were arrested for extortion and kidnapping.

The actions would have been more convincing but unfortunately violent crimes made people recall the "good old days" of organized crime. In the city of Varna businessman Tinko Georgiev, owner of hotels, previously involved in a legal battle with a criminal wanted by Interpol, was killed. In Sofia businessman Veselin Stoimenov, considered the successor to the crime boss Georgi Iliev and liquidator of the VIS-2 group was shot dead. Near Sofia businessman and founder of the Agressia fashion house, Alexander Antonov was killed. Unlike the others, Antonov had no dark moments in his past and was a respected figure in the fashion industry, known also for his charity activities.

The judicial reform was also marked by exciting events. Its culmination was recently adopted contradictory amendments to the Constitution regarding the Supreme Judicial Council that made Minister of Justice Hristo Ivanov resign. Showing indignation, the President of the Supreme Court, Lozan Panov held a speech that made the ethical committee of the Supreme Judicial Council start discussions over unacceptable politicization on his part. 145 judges from across the country signed the speech that read: "Just like Roosevelt once said: ‘In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned.’ So if for quarter of a century of democratic existence, the state and society have been put under full oligarchic control, then it was planned. If during this time 2 million Bulgarians have left the country, including much of the elite of the nation, then it was planned. If those who remained here do not believe that the judicial system is fair; do not believe that the parties are actually representing their interests; do not believe that the police protect them; do not believe that taxes are used for their benefit; do not trust the institutions; do not believe the media, then it is perceived. If the citizens do not trust the state and still the status quo thrives on this distrust, then it was planned. If the demands for truth of an open and free society, that we call ourselves, are called a coup, then it was planned. If representatives of the political forces obstructed constitutional changes, thus undermining judicial reforms, then it was planned."

The harsh assessment was made not by an ordinary man but by the chairman of the body which exercises supreme judicial supervision, aimed at the proper application of the laws in the country. The comments made people expect severe criticism in the forthcoming report on Bulgaria's progress in justice and home affairs. In case of serious criticism, the control mechanism will continue to function just like it was functioning before, which will be nothing new for Bulgaria.

English: Alexander Markov