The law enforcement officer who caused a traffic accident on the Pernik-Sofia highway in the fall of last year will be permanently removed from the Ministry of Interior system. The news was announced by Acting Minister of Interior Emil Dechev during today's parliamentary control, in response to a question from MP Dimo Drenchev.
The disciplinary saga surrounding junior expert Ivaylo Petrov went through several stages, revealing the administrative deadlines and procedures in the law enforcement agency. After the maximum period for temporary suspension expired, the police officer was reinstated in his position before being officially proposed for dismissal.
The accident occurred on October 19, 2025. Immediately after the incident, the employee categorically refused to be tested with a technical device for the presence of alcohol, as well as to provide a blood sample for laboratory analysis. This action of his automatically triggered disciplinary proceedings for a serious violation of official discipline and violation of the Code of Ethics of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
"The dismissal order is about to be issued and this is about to happen", Emil Dechev categorically told the deputies in the plenary hall.
According to the data presented by the minister, initially Petrov was temporarily removed from office for a period of two months. Subsequently, with an additional order, this period was extended until January 21, 2026.
After the expiration of this date, by virtue of the regulatory framework, the employee formally returned to his post until the completion of the procedure for his final dismissal from the system. It is expected that the dismissal order will become a fact as soon as possible, thus closing the case institutionally.