Burgas water utility officials arrested amid fraud probe

Bulgarian anti‑mafia units and police carried out a series of raids on the Burgas water supply company (VIK‑Burgas) and related sites. Regional DPS leader Hristo Shirokata was detained, released after questioning, and later re‑arrested as investigators examined alleged financial misconduct. The director of VIK‑Burgas, Tsvetan Mirchev, and other senior staff were also taken into custody, accused of intentional mismanagement and of diverting public funds through a fictitious public‑procurement scheme worth about 1.5 million lev. Prosecutors allege that underground pipes were installed to siphon water from meters, causing losses of millions of euros. The water‑utility’s board has been reshuffled, with new members appointed by Bulgarian VIK Holding to improve transparency and accountability. Investigations continue into possible links between the water company’s management and organized‑crime activities.