Constitutional Court Judge Atanasova Presents Documents to Disprove Interior Minister's Accusation of Joint Flight with MRF Leader Peevski

A Constitutional Court judge, Desislava Atanasova, presented documents to counter Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev’s accusation involving a joint flight with MRF leader Delyan Peevski. The Constitutional Court press office said Atanasova did not leave Türkiye during April 5–8, 2024, and was not on a business trip. On July 2, Demerdzhiev told parliament that Peevski made 227 departures from Sofia Airport since 2018, including 181 by private aircraft, and that joint bookings with 81 others were being checked; he later said an anti-organized crime report used a corrected date. Atanasova denied the claim and said she traveled Sofia–Istanbul–Sofia on scheduled Turkish Airlines flights, staying in Türkiye throughout April 5–8. She added an officially issued certificate from Istanbul’s Provincial Police Directorate stating she resided in Türkiye and did not leave between the two flights. She also said the use of her diplomatic passport follows rules set by Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry, and stated the Constitutional Court held no sessions during the period and she did not submit leave. Demerdzhiev previously argued that shifting focus to Atanasova suggests intent to push her into a broader process.