Bulgaria recalls UAE ambassador amid corruption probe

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev has requested the urgent recall of Bulgaria’s ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Ievan Yordanov. The decision follows allegations of corruption involving public procurement and political financing.

Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev reported that funds totaling over 150 million euros were diverted through companies involved in supplying capes. A portion of these funds, estimated at over 5 million euros, was allegedly used to pay for 36 flights taken by MP Delyan Peevski. Investigations suggest that the company facilitating these payments is owned by the ambassador’s father.

The government plans to conduct extensive audits of compromised public contracts and internal transfers, focusing on the use of proxy persons to hide illicit activities. Prime Minister Radev stated that authorities will collaborate with international financial and intelligence services to track assets, bank accounts, and properties linked to the investigation. The findings are being handed over to the Bulgarian Prosecutor’s Office.