Bulgarian Interior Minister Demerdzhiev probes guardrail contracts after Trakia crash

Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev told Bulgarian National Radio that the Ministry of the Interior is investigating the supply of road guardrails (mantineli) after a fatal accident on the Trakia highway, where a truck hit a guardrail and three people – including two nine‑year‑old boys – were killed. He said only two companies provide the guardrails and that rumors link one of them to a former prime minister.

Demerdzhiev announced a broader review of road construction, illegal building and public procurement. Hundreds of public contracts have been cancelled, including a design contract for drug‑testing laboratories, which he said will be completed at a much lower cost. He also referred to illegal construction in the “Baba Alino” area and to payments made by the Ukrainian corporation KUB to facilitate permits.

The minister criticised the previous government’s procurement practices as “cynical” and pledged that the case files will be forwarded to the chief prosecutor, with international experts involved in the investigation to ensure transparency.