The Judges’ College with the Supreme Judicial Council decided at an extraordinary sitting to demand an information through the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior from the U.S. authorities regarding their decision to impose an entry ban against Judge Andon Mitalov. The ban was announced personally by U.S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo: Today, I am designating Bulgarian Specialized Criminal Court Judge Andon Mitalov due to his involvement in significant corruption.  In his official capacity, Mitalov was involved in corrupt acts that undermined the rule of law and severely compromised the independence of democratic institutions in Bulgaria. 

Bulgaria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva said on Thursday that “the actions of the USA are not against the interests of Bulgaria”. Premier Boyko Borissov who is paying an official visit to Brussels categorically refused to comment this topic.