Nikola Filchev, Bulgaria’s ambassador to Kazakhstan and former prosecutor-general, would not be punished for his behaviour in leaving his post to come home without requesting permission, Foreign Affairs Minister Ivailo Kalfin said on June 23.

Filchev surprised everyone, including his superiors at the ministry, on June 21 when he returned to Bulgaria without filing the required leave form. For two days, Filchev’s whereabouts were unknown. No one could confirm whether he was in Bulgaria.

However, on June 23 Kalfin confirmed that Filchev was in Bulgaria. He had asked for leave until the end of August. Filchev said that he had returned to the country because of family problems.

On June 22, a journalist from Bulgarian news agency BTA managed to find Filchev on his mobile phone, but Filchev responded with a stream of foul language. This raised concerns about Filchev’s behaviour and whether he was suitable to represent Bulgaria abroad.

Initially, Filchev’s appointment to Kazakhstan was not welcomed by everyone. In February, his seven-year term as prosecutor-general ended and he was appointed to Kazakhstan. His nomination was supported by Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev and President Georgi Purvanov. Filchev’s appointment was described by Stanishev as something natural and as paying respect to the institution of prosecutor-general.

“We should learn to treat with civility people who have held high government office,” Stanishev said on June 16.

Filchev’s position in Kazakhstan was seen by the right-wing opposition as an escape from prosecution.

On June 20 the right-wing Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria (DSB) demanded that Purvanov recall Filchev, alleging that Filchev had concealed evidence of corruption implicating former prime minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg in the controversy involving Saxe-Coburg’s Italian cousin, Victor Emmanuel. Filchev had deliberately concealed corruption evidence provided by the DSB, the party said. Kalfin said that Filchev’s guilt had not been proven and there were no grounds for Filchev to be recalled.

President Purvanov, however, appeared annoyed, because on June 23 he told reporters that Filchev’s behaviour was intolerable, and if the accusations were confirmed, Filchev should be punished.

This was not Filchev’s first encounter with the judiciary. On June 15, the day of his departure for Kazakhstan, he managed to avoid a court official at the airport who was trying to summon him in court. After that incident, Filchev was put on the national wanted list by the Sofia Regional Military Court after he failed on four occasions to appear in court for questioning in connection with the wiretaps uncovered in his home in 2000. Filchev was summoned solely in his capacity as a witness, not as an accused.

The Foreign Ministry said that it has unable to prevent Filchev’s departure but the next time the court requests his appearance, the ministry acting as Filchev’s employer will make sure the summons is served.