Parliament's website has announced an extra sitting on Wednesday over the pardon of Ognyan Atanasov, known as the "Petrich Escobar". Asen Vasilev of We Continue the Change and a group of MPs asked for the session.

An earlier attempt to hold an extra sitting on the pardon failed on 13 October because there was no quorum. Last week, Nikolay Denkov, chair of the PP group, told reporters in the parliament lobby that the signatures for a new sitting had been collected. He said Democratic Bulgaria and GERB-SDS backed the request, while Vazrazhdane did not sign.

What happened before: PP collects signatures for new emergency session on Atanasov pardon

The agenda has one item: a hearing of officials and a doctor. The pardon was issued by Decree No. 119 of 5 December 2022. Atanasov himself is linked to drug trafficking.

Those listed to appear include Vasil Kordev, who was prison governor in November and December 2022. Ivaylo Yordanov, chief commissioner and chief director of the Chief Directorate for the Execution of Sentences (GDIN). Svetoslav Penov, senior commissioner and governor of Sofia prison. And the head of the medical care unit for places of detention at GDIN.

The proposal also adds the head of the State Agency for National Security (DANS), the chair of the president's pardons commission, and the doctor who prepared or signed the medical opinion on Atanasov used for the pardon. Also added to the list are the chief secretary of the Interior Ministry, the director of the Chief Directorate for Combating Organised Crime, and the head of the specialised hospital for active treatment at Sofia prison.

The hearing will cover how the medical opinions and the reports on Atanasov's behaviour were prepared, checked and provided. Other topics include how the incident of 16 November 2022 was recorded, and data on possible pressure and threats against doctors and their families. It will also look at the exchange of information with the president's office, possible links between Atanasov and DANS and the Interior Ministry, and the checks that were made.

After 13 October, the opposition said the ruling parties were hiding and putting an "umbrella" over President Iliana Yotova. Progressive Bulgaria says it has seen the medical assessment and that Atanasov suffers from illnesses that are incompatible with life.