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[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [POLITICS]
6 clusters · 22 sources · 46 days · First seen · Last updated
Bulgarian diplomatic and procurement corruption probe
Overview
Bulgaria is investigating a corruption scheme involving the diversion of state funds to cover private jet travel for lawmaker Delyan Peevski. Ambassador Ivan Yordanov was recalled to Bulgaria following allegations that funds from state contracts—initially linked to road guardrails and later described as involving companies supplying blankets—were diverted to a shell company allegedly owned by Yordanov’s father. Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova has ordered a comprehensive on-site inspection of the Bulgarian Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
The investigation into flight costs has intensified. While Peevski claimed he and his family personally paid for the travel, Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev testified in Parliament that documentation from Hyperion Aviation shows no personal payments were made by Peevski for flights between January 2023 and June 2026. Instead, 36 bank transfers totaling approximately 5,083,800 euros were paid by Spectrum Air EAD, a company that purchased the aircraft used for the flights. Regarding the source of the diverted funds, Demerdzhiev highlighted irregularities in public procurement for protective clothing and road infrastructure. He noted that in early 2022, the Road Infrastructure Agency awarded contracts to interconnected entities controlling 99.6% of the market, with contract values increasing from approximately 253.8 million leva to 414.8 million leva through annexes.
Following political pressure and a request from Prime Minister Rumen Radev, Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova issued a decree dismissing Ivan Yordanov from his post as Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, officially published in the State Gazette on October 20, 2026. Recently, Interior Minister Demerdzhiev criticized the National Audit Office for refusing to act on a signal regarding the undeclared flights, accusing the institution of acting as a “shield” for influential political figures. The Audit Office stated that the investigation into Peevski’s declarations is ongoing and has been referred to the National Revenue Agency.
Entities
Delyan Peevski · Ivan Demerdzhiev · Ivan Yordanov · Bulgaria · United Arab Emirates
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 6 SOURCES] Interior Minister Ivan Demerzhiev alleged that a company owned by the father of Ambassador Ivan Yordanov funded private flights for DPS leader Delyan Peevski.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ambassador Ivan Yordanov denied any involvement in organizing or paying for the private flights.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova ordered an on-site inspection of the Bulgarian diplomatic mission in the UAE to be conducted within the coming weeks.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Prime Minister Rumen Radev confirmed he personally selected Ivan Yordanov for the post in 2022.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Ministry of Interior uncovered a scheme involving four companies supplying blankets that diverted funds to a company known as 'piggy bank'.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova signed a proposal to the Council of Ministers to initiate the constitutional procedure for the dismissal of Ambassador Yordanov.
Timeline
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[POLITICS] 8 sourcesBulgarian National Audit Office rejects signal on Peevski private flights
Bulgarian Interior Minister Ivan Demerzhiev accused the National Audit Office of protecting MP Delyan Peevski after it declined to investigate his undeclared private flights.
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[POLITICS] 2 sourcesBulgaria dismisses Ambassador Ivan Yordanov from UAE post
Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova has dismissed Ambassador Ivan Yordanov from his post in the UAE following allegations involving his family's business connections to flight expenses for politician Delyan Peevs
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[POLITICS] 5 sourcesBulgarian Interior Minister denies Peevski personally paid for flights
Bulgarian Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev testified that no personal payments from Delyan Peevski for flights were found in Hyperion Aviation records, though Spectrum Air EAD covered costs via 36 transfers.
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[POLITICS] 7 sourcesBulgarian Interior Minister requests tax probe into Delyan Peevski's flight costs
Bulgarian Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev has called for a tax investigation into Delyan Peevski regarding 5 million euros in flight expenses.
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[POLITICS] 8 sourcesAmbassador Ivan Yordanov returns to Bulgaria amid UAE diplomatic scandal
Bulgarian Ambassador Ivan Yordanov has returned to Bulgaria amid investigations into allegations that his father's company funded private flights for Delyan Peevski. A formal recall process has begun.
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[POLITICS] 9 sourcesBulgaria recalls UAE ambassador over alleged corruption probe
Bulgaria recalled its UAE ambassador, Ivan Yordanov, amid allegations that a company owned by his father paid over 5 million euros for private flights used by sanctioned lawmaker Delyan Peevski.
Sources
actualno.com · burgasmedia.com · clubz.bg · crimes.bg · cronicadecantabria.com · dariknews.bg · defakto.bg · europesays.com · fakti.bg · kliuki.bg · milletnews.com · moreto.net · netnews.bg · novini247.com · petel.bg · plovdiv24.bg · plovdivnews.bg · ruse.news · standartnews.com · trafficnews.bg · vesti.bg · viaranews.com
This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history