Ivan Geshev

Ivan Geshev
Иван Гешев
Chief Public Prosecutor of Bulgaria
In office
18 December 2019 – 15 June 2023
Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor
In office
July 2018 – 18 December 2019
Chairman of the Specialized Prosecutor's Office
In office
July 2016 – July 2018
Personal details
Born (1970-12-19) 19 December 1970 (age 53)
Mirkovo, Bulgaria
Political partyJustice for Bulgaria
Domestic partnerDetelina Hancheva
Children2
Alma materMVR Academy
ProfessionJurist, prosecutor

Ivan Stoimenov Geshev (Bulgarian: Иван Стоименов Гешев; born 19 December 1970) is a Bulgarian jurist who served as Bulgaria's Chief Public Prosecutor from 26 November 2019 until his dismissal on 15 June 2023. Geshev previously served as Head of the Specialized Prosecutor's Office (July 2016-July 2018) and as Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor (July 2018 – 2019).[1]

Geshev was the only candidate proposed to succeed Sotir Tsatsarov as Chief Public Prosecutor of Bulgaria in 2019, which triggered controversy and public protests against his candidacy.[2][3] He was appointed to the position by Bulgaria's Supreme Judicial Council in late 2019, but his election was initially vetoed by Bulgarian President Rumen Radev. The Supreme Judicial Council subsequently confirmed his appointment.[4] He was inaugurated on 18 December 2019.[5] In 2020, the raid against the Bulgarian Presidency by the Bulgarian prosecution sparked mass protests demanding both the resignation of Ivan Geshev as Chief Public Prosecutor and the government of Boyko Borissov.[6]

After a failed assassination attempt on 1 May 2023, which triggered a political scandal and open confrontation between Geshev, his deputy Borislav Sarafov and political figures including Boyko Borisov, Geshev was voted out of office by the Supreme Judicial Council, effective 15 June 2023.[7][8]

  1. ^ "Кой е Иван Гешев?" [Who is Ivan Geshev?]. nova.bg (in Bulgarian). 24 October 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Several Thousands Demand Geshev's Withdrawal and Selection of Boyko Atanasov as Attorney General". Novinite. 30 July 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Large numbers in protests in Bulgaria against nominee to be Prosecutor-General". Sofia Globe. 29 July 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  4. ^ "Радев подписа указа за Гешев, иска промяна в Конституцията" [Radev signed the decree for Geshev, wants a change in the Constitution]. Vesti.bg (in Bulgarian). 26 November 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  5. ^ "Иван Гешев встъпва в длъжност" [Ivan Geshev takes office]. nova.bg (in Bulgarian). 18 December 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  6. ^ "How Bulgaria became the EU's mafia state". Politico. 9 September 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  7. ^ "The Cap versus The Pumpkin: Bulgaria's mafia state reaches breaking point". Politico. 17 May 2023.
  8. ^ "Bulgarian President Radev signs decree dismissing Prosecutor-General Geshev". Sofia Globe. 15 June 2023.