Bulgaria former Prime Minister Borissov remains in custody after European Union probes
The Hindu
Bulgarian ex-Prime Minister Boyko Borissov remained in custody on Friday following corruption investigations by European Union prosecutors as his supporters took to the streets to protest his detention
Bulgarian ex-Prime Minister Boyko Borissov remained in custody on March 18 following corruption investigations by European Union prosecutors as his supporters took to streets to protest his detention.
The Interior Ministry said late Thursday that Boyko Borissov was being detained for 24 hours in a nationwide police operation that also targeted other former officials. Borissov, 62, was taken into custody along with former Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov and Borissov’s media advisor, Sevdalina Arnaudova.
Authorities haven’t provided details on any possible accusations against them. But local media reported that the cases centred on the misuse of EU funds.
“Investigations are currently under way by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, but we will see in the coming days where the Bulgarian prosecuting magistracy stands and whether it will finally side with the Bulgarian people,” Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said about Borissov’s detention, adding that the events show that “no one is above the law in Bulgaria."
Incumbent Finance Minister Assen Vassilev said on Friday that authorities were working on a tip from exiled businessman Vassil Bozhkov, whose lucrative lottery business was nationalised in 2020.
Based on his tip, financial inspectors had gathered evidence on 556 million leva (280 million euros) that allegedly didn’t go into the state budget under the watch of Borissov and his Financial Minister. Borissov is a founding member of the centre-right GERB party, which is now in Opposition.
On Friday, all of GERB's lawmakers walked out of a session and joined protesters in front of Bulgaria's Parliament building calling for Borissov's release. The legislators called on “all Bulgarian citizens who believe in democratic principles” to join the protests.
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