The Bulgarian Prosecutor General, Mr Sotir Tsatsarov, visited Eurojust today to express his strong support for its role in combatting serious cross-border crime. The purpose of the visit was also to present to Eurojust's President, Mr Ladislav Hamran, the reinforced Bulgarian National Desk at Eurojust, with the recently appointed Deputy National Member, Mr Viktor Tartchev. The Bulgarian National Desk at Eurojust is led by Ms Ivanka Kotorova, who was appointed in February 2018. Mr Tsatsarov was accompanied by Mr Ivan Geshev, Deputy Prosecutor General, responsible for international legal cooperation, organised crime and corruption cases, as well as Mr Tsvetomir Yosifov, Head of the International Department at the Supreme Cassation Prosecutor's Office.

Mr Tsatsarov underpinned the importance of Eurojust for the Bulgarian authorities in their day-to-day work. Bulgaria has become one of the major Member States (MSs) for Eurojust as well, with the Bulgarian National Desk opening 149 new cases last year, ranking 6th among 28 MSs. Eurojust cases with Bulgarian involvement range from cybercrime to combatting trafficking in human beings, the latter being one of the key priorities for the Bulgarian authorities.

One of most prominent Bulgarian cases at Eurojust was the dismantling of a people smuggling network, in strong cooperation with the Spanish National Desk at Eurojust in 2017. In and around Marbella, 34 suspects were arrested, with trials ongoing, and 13 victims of sexual exploitation safeguarded.