The Bulgarian government is preparing amendments to the country's criminal code that would allow the prosecution of the Kremlin regime for its aggressive war against Ukraine.
Bulgarian Justice Minister Atanas Slavov stated in an interview with Euractiv, that "Our goal is for Bulgaria to be able to initiate criminal proceedings, exercising universal jurisdiction, for war crimes and crimes against peace and humanity committed in Ukraine. This will be an act of support for international efforts to investigate Russian aggression in Ukraine."
According to documents seen by Euractiv and discussed at Coreper II meetings last year, Bulgaria belongs to the minority of European Union countries that have not initiated criminal proceedings for war crimes in Ukraine or for non-compliance with EU sanctions against Russia.
"It is very important that Bulgaria can initiate proceedings for war crimes in Ukraine, exercising universal jurisdiction, given the large number of Ukrainian refugees in the country. They can provide testimony," Slavov said.
Bulgaria hosts nearly 100,000 Ukrainian refugees, many from areas affected by hostilities, such as the Kherson region. The Bulgarian minority in Ukraine numbers 200,000 people, many of whom could also contribute to the investigation of war crimes following the onset of Russian aggression.
Once data is collected from all European countries, this evidence could be invaluable for the creation of a future tribunal to investigate war crimes in Ukraine.
"I would be very pleased if such a step helped a future international investigation by an international tribunal, and Bulgaria actively participated in the efforts of the international community," commented Slavov.
Many European countries have already initiated investigations, with some questioning hundreds of thousands of people, with the Baltic republics being the most active, according to documents reviewed by Euractiv.
Justice Minister Atanas Slavov stated that the future inclusion of the crime of aggression in Bulgaria's Criminal Code "will allow holding accountable the military-political leadership that issued orders for the corresponding military actions in Ukraine."
"Because evidence of war crimes on the ground often reaches the middle level. And the crime of aggression is for the highest leadership level. At the European level, there is the International Centre for Prosecuting the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. Our idea is for Bulgaria to actively contribute to European efforts, as we have undertaken this commitment," said the Bulgarian justice minister.
