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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 72763, member: 636"] An appellate panel has overturned a lower court ruling and awarded former Finance Minister Assen Vassilev compensation of 25,100 leva in his defamation suit against GERB lawmaker Delyan Dobrev. The Sofia Court of Appeal found that Dobrev's social media posts accusing Vassilev of being a white-collar criminal and suggesting financial misconduct exceeded acceptable political discourse. Judges Maria Georgieva, Assen Vodenicharov and Valentin Boykinov determined the language was offensive despite being expressed emotionally. The ruling represents a partial claim from Vassilev's total demand of 250,000 leva, meaning the politician may pursue the remaining sum since the court has established harm occurred. Dobrev must also cover interest accruing from January 2023, plus 13,156 leva in legal expenses. The GERB representative may appeal to Bulgaria's highest court. [/QUOTE]