Bulgarian Education Minister refuses to share NATFIZ audit report

Bulgarian Minister of Education and Science, Prof. Georgi Valchev, has refused to submit an audit report regarding financial irregularities at the National Academy of Theology, Islam and Judaism (NATFIZ) to the prosecutor's office and the State Financial Inspection Agency (ADFI).

The audit report, prepared by the Ministry's Inspectorate, reveals significant mismanagement of Academy funds. Key findings include the payment of monetary rewards to individuals not in formal employment relationships with the institution, improper financial incentives for employees' core duties, and unlawful additional compensation stemming from the rector's management contract. The report also highlights issues with repair contracts lacking specific details on volume or type, and a lack of clear procedures for public procurement.

During parliamentary control, MP Pavel Popov also criticized a mechanism where 20 percent of student tuition fees are returned based on a minimum passing grade of 3, which reportedly reduces actual tuition revenue below legal minimums. Minister Valchev defended his decision not to share the report, stating that the audit did not establish sufficient evidence of crimes under the Penal Code.