Azizi: Public Prosecutor's Office depends on executive funding

In tonight's Top Tema debate between four candidates for head of the Special Prosecution for Organized Crime and Corruption, prosecutors Lidiya Raichevich, Iskra Hadzhi Vasileva, Faton Azizi and Trajche Pelivanov presented their priorities.

When asked who will stand on the front line in the fight against organized crime and corruption, Faton Azizi said the centrepiece of his programme is strengthening the investigative centre to boost prosecutorial capacity.

Programme focus: investigative capacity

Azizi argued that reinforcing the investigative team would increase the office's operational independence. "From there, in my view the public prosecutor gains greater independence on several grounds. The independence of the investigators, prosecutors who will be engaged permanently, a team around the public prosecutor. These are several assumptions that realistically offer the opportunity for the public prosecutor to engage more effectively in the fight," he said.

On whether he expects financial backing for those plans, Azizi said he will first speak with the Republic Public Prosecutor, because "the Public Prosecutor's Office is an institution that depends on how much the executive branch will give in funding, for which there will be detailed talks also with the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Finance and, if possible, with the Prime Minister."

He stressed that money is essential for measurable results. "Financial support is needed for results. We conduct the fight against crime with the resources we currently have and the prosecution is trying to follow the trends, but more financial means are needed for better results," Azizi emphasized.

Azizi framed his proposals as practical adjustments to strengthen investigations and improve outcomes, while signalling he will seek coordination with both the Office of the Republic Public Prosecutor and executive institutions to secure the necessary resources.

Photo: press material from the event