Bulgarian businessperson Krassimir Georgiev, known by the alias Krassyo, who became a byword for nepotism and influence-peddling in the country's judiciary, was handed a two-year suspended sentence for perjury on February 22, news agency Focus reported.

Georgiev was a the forefront of a massive public row in June 2009, when it was alleged that he was one of the main "fixers" in Bulgaria's judicial system, helping certain candidates for top jobs in the judiciary win the appointment.

The row resulted in the dismissal of several top magistrates, most of whom later were reinstated after they filed appeals.

Georgiev was alleged to have the ear of several members of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and the ability to secure between eight and 13 votes in the SJC, which makes the top appointments in the Bulgarian judicial system. Georgiev allegedly commanded fees of up to 200 000 euro for his services.

Georgiev has denied having any contacts with top magistrates, a fact disproven by his phone records. This led to the perjury trial in which Georgiev was found guilty, but Sofia District Court only gave Georgiev a two-year suspended sentence with three years probation (should he be convicted of any crime during the probation period, the suspended sentence becomes effective).

Separately, Georgiev is on trial for alleged tax evasion, but that trial is being conducted behind close doors because the evidence used contained personal data from Georgiev's phone records.