Conference Judicial Independence Under Watch: PANEL I: Oversight of SSM, Pressure and ECtHR Cases

Part 1 of The International conference "Justice Under Surveillance: European Standards Against Secret Monitoring and Profiling of Magistrates”, which took place on Thursday, 22 October 2026 in Sofia. The conference brought together over 60 judges, prosecutors, lawyers and representatives of various institutions. It was organised by the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee and the Bulgarian Judges Association, with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, in continuation of an ongoing discussion about the mechanisms being used for undue influence on the judiciary. 00:00 PANEL I: Oversight of Secret Surveillance, Systemic Pressure, and ECtHR Case Law 00:46 Moderator: Mirela Veselinova 05:06 Yonko Grozev (former ECtHR judge): Deficits in the Oversight of Secret Surveillance Measures in Bulgaria Through the Lens of International Standards (Data Retention, Ex-Post Oversight, and Non-Implementation of ECtHR Judgments) 18:01 Adela Kachaunova (BHC): Special Surveillance Measures Targeting Magistrates as a Tool of Pressure: Findings from the "Wiretapping Justice" Report and the Significance of the Kanev and BHC v. Bulgaria Case 34:36 Alexander Kashumov, Atty.: Practical and Civil Law Aspects of Secret Surveillance: Access to Information, Transparency, and Protection of Affected Persons 52:28 Mikhail Ekimdzhiev, Atty. and 01:02:14 Katina Boncheva, Atty.: Abuse of State Powers in Secret Surveillance and Legal Standards for Effective Protection Under ECtHR Case Law 01:14:18 Discussion & Q&A Session.