Prime Minister Rumen Radev says prosecutors block VIK‑Burgas corruption probe

Rumen Radev VIK‑Burgas prosecution corruption probe Vanya Stefanova

Prime Minister Rumen Radev accused Bulgaria’s prosecution service of obstructing the investigation into alleged large‑scale political corruption at the water utility VIK‑Burgas. He said the case involves the arrest of director Tsvetan Mirchev and investment‑control employee Ilcho Boev in early July for the intentional loss of €303,281, part of a public‑procurement contract valued at about €1 million. Radev alleged that "hundreds of millions of levs" have been siphoned to party coffers and nationally known public figures, and that persons with parliamentary immunity are implicated.

The investigation was transferred repeatedly between the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office and the Burgas District Prosecutorate, causing week‑long delays and multiple recusal motions by observing prosecutors. In response to Radev’s criticism, Acting Chief Prosecutor Vanya Stefanova ordered a review of the case by the Inspectors of the Supreme Cassation Prosecutorate and pledged to exercise full disciplinary powers against any magistrate found to have violated the law. The probe began after a whistle‑blower from VIK‑Burgas reported forced signing of false documents. The controversy arises weeks before the election of a new Supreme Judicial Council.

Entities

Bulgarian Ministry of Interior · Bulgarian Prosecutors · Bulgarian Prosecutor’s Office · Cvetan Mirchev · Ilcho Boev · Ministry of Interior · Rumen Radev · Supreme Judicial Council · Tsvetan Mirchev · VIK Burgas · VIK‑Burgas · Vanya Stefanova

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] Rumen Radev stated that Bulgarian prosecutors are hindering the unraveling of large‑scale political corruption. defakto.bg · www.blagoevgrad24.bg · vevesti.bg · bnews.bg
[○ 1 SOURCE] The case is being examined ahead of elections for a new Supreme Judicial Council. vevesti.bg
[● 4 SOURCES] A public‑procurement contract worth about €1 million is part of the case. defakto.bg · www.blagoevgrad24.bg · vevesti.bg · bnews.bg
[● 4 SOURCES] Prosecutors assigned to the case withdrew repeatedly, causing it to be transferred between Sofia and Burgas. defakto.bg · www.blagoevgrad24.bg · vevesti.bg · bnews.bg
[● 4 SOURCES] Arrests were made of VIK‑Burgas director Tsvetan Mirchev and investment‑control employee Ilcho Boev in early July. defakto.bg · www.blagoevgrad24.bg · vevesti.bg · bnews.bg
[● 4 SOURCES] People with parliamentary immunity are implicated in the case. www.blagoevgrad24.bg · vevesti.bg · defakto.bg · bnews.bg
[● 4 SOURCES] The investigation concerns alleged misappropriation of €303,281 by VIK‑Burgas executives. defakto.bg · www.blagoevgrad24.bg · vevesti.bg · bnews.bg
[● 4 SOURCES] Hundreds of millions of levs were allegedly siphoned to party coffers and nationally known public figures. defakto.bg · www.blagoevgrad24.bg · vevesti.bg · bnews.bg
[● 3 SOURCES] The inspection will be carried out by the Inspectors of the Supreme Cassation Prosecutorate. www.burgasinfo.com · petel.bg · www.standartnews.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Police arrested several VIK‑Burgas employees, including its director, in early July. www.burgasinfo.com · petel.bg
[● 2 SOURCES] Interrogations produced statements that hundreds of millions of levs were diverted to party funds and well‑known figures. www.burgasinfo.com · petel.bg
[● 3 SOURCES] Prime Minister Rumen Radev accused the prosecution of obstructing police work in the VIK‑Burgas case. www.burgasinfo.com · petel.bg · www.standartnews.com