# Bulgarian diplomatic corruption investigation > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bulgarian-diplomatic-corruption-investigation > Updated: 2026-09-23T07:26:27.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 3. Bulgaria recalled its ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Ivan Yordanov, following allegations of a corruption scheme. Investigators claimed that funds were diverted from state road guardrail contracts—valued at over 400 million euros—to a shell company allegedly owned by Yordanov’s father. These funds were reportedly used to pay for 36 private jet flights for U.S.-sanctioned lawmaker Delyan Peevski. Yordanov and Peevski both denied the allegations. While the Prime Minister called for Yordanov’s immediate removal, the Foreign Minister ordered an inspection of the Bulgarian Embassy in Abu Dhabi. Following the investigation, Yordanov returned to Bulgaria. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed his arrival, noting that a comprehensive on-site inspection of the UAE diplomatic mission will be conducted. A final decision regarding Yordanov’s dismissal will require a proposal from the Council of Ministers and a presidential decree. Expanding the investigation into the flight costs, Bulgarian Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev has requested that the National Revenue Agency (NAP) conduct a tax probe into Delyan Peevski. The Ministry of Interior reported that 36 invoices for these flights total approximately 5 million euros. Authorities seek to verify the actual amounts paid, the source of the funds, and whether there is a discrepancy between Peevski’s declared income and these expenditures. Peevski has dismissed the allegations as ‘fabrications’ and indicated he would contact the prosecutor’s office. ## Claims - Interior Minister Ivan Demerzhiev alleged that a company owned by the father of Ambassador Ivan Yordanov funded private flights for DPS leader Delyan Peevski. (disputed by 6 sources) - Ambassador Ivan Yordanov denied any involvement in organizing or paying for the private flights. (disputed) - Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova ordered an on-site inspection of the Bulgarian diplomatic mission in the UAE to be conducted within the coming weeks. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Prime Minister Rumen Radev confirmed he personally selected Ivan Yordanov for the post in 2022. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Ministry of Interior uncovered a scheme involving four companies supplying blankets that diverted funds to a company known as 'piggy bank'. (single source) - Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova signed a proposal to the Council of Ministers to initiate the constitutional procedure for the dismissal of Ambassador Yordanov. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-23: Bulgarian 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. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-interior-minister-requests-tax-probe-into-delyan-peevskis-flight-costs ### 2026-09-22: Ambassador 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. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-ambassador-ivan-yordanov-returns-amid-uae-mission-investigation ### 2026-09-18: Bulgaria 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. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-recalls-uae-ambassador-amid-corruption-probe --- Cite as: Bulgarian diplomatic corruption investigation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bulgarian-diplomatic-corruption-investigation