The Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) as a second instance overturned the decision of the Administrative court – Sliven which dismissed the complaint against the refusal of the Water Supply Company (which is obliged authority as public law organization). The first instance grounded its decision on the fact that the requestor sought access to specific document, not access to information as provided by the APIA. The SAC overruled, holding that the company is obliged under the APIA authority as public law organization as defined by § 1, item 4b of the Miscellaneous and Final Provisions of the APIA (state ownership and oversight). As obliged authority the company is required to provide information generated within the scope of its competence. The court further found that the minutes have the characteristics of public information as they would enable the citizen to form an opinion on the activities of the obliged authority.
The decision is final.