Final Ruling in Bulgaria: Journalist and Media Outlet Ordered to Pay Over 43,000 Leva in Defamation Case

The Supreme Court of Cassation (SCC) has issued a final ruling against Bulgarian news outlet Mediapool and journalist Boris Mitov, ordering them to pay over 43,000 leva in damages and legal costs to Judge Svetlin Mihaylov. The case stems from a series of publications in 2018 that addressed Mihaylov’s candidacy for president of the Sofia City Court, which the court deemed defamatory.

The articles, published during the judicial appointment process, included descriptions such as "scandalously famous," "scandalous millionaire," and "compromised candidate....