SJC Discontinues Disciplinary Proceedings Against Nevena Zartova

The body terminated the second disciplinary proceeding against her after concluding there was insufficient evidence of a disciplinary violation or criminal offense.

The review began following a complaint filed in 2024. The disciplinary proceedings were launched in February 2024 after prosecutors from the Supreme Cassation Prosecutor's Office inspected Zartova's work as head of the Sofia District Prosecutor's Office.

The inspection was prompted by Zartova's actions related to the opening of a prosecutorial file at the Sofia District Prosecutor's Office in May 2023. Former Sofia City Prosecutor Iliana Kirilova requested that disciplinary proceedings be initiated, with the proposal submitted through then Acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov.

According to the Prosecutorial College, there is no evidence or factual basis indicating that a criminal offense was committed. The reviewing prosecutor concluded that three prosecutors from the Sofia District Prosecutor's Office should not face disciplinary liability, while recommending that Zartova should.

During the disciplinary proceedings, five specific actions by Zartova were examined. The reviewing prosecutor's report stated that some of those actions could be interpreted as failure to perform official duties, disciplinary misconduct and conduct damaging the prestige of the judiciary. Regarding three of the actions, the report concluded they were committed intentionally and constituted disciplinary violations.

However, the disciplinary panel recommended terminating the proceedings due to insufficient evidence of disciplinary misconduct. The Prosecutorial College accepted that recommendation and closed the case.