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3 clusters · 13 sources · 22 days · First seen about 1 month ago · Last updated 22 days ago

Bulgarian parliamentary corruption probes

Overview

In late July 2026, Vençislav Petkov, a close associate of MP Radostin Vasilev, publicly accused Vasilev of diverting two‑thirds of his parliamentary salary for personal use, citing a luxury watch purchase and alleged cash collections from fellow deputies. Petkov, an individual party sponsor, called Vasilev a “thief” in an internal Facebook chat and urged party members to vote based on conscience at the upcoming congress.

A week later, in early August 2026, Bulgaria’s State Audit Office opened a formal investigation into MP Delian Peevski, leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms. Prompted by a signal from Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev, the audit examines whether Peevski’s private jet flights to destinations such as Dubai were financed by third parties, gifts, or public funds, potentially breaching sanctions under the Magnitsky regime. Peevski claims the trips were funded by his family.

By late August 2026, the scrutiny intensified as the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office received materials from the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (GDBOP) regarding approximately 1.8 million BGN in private flight expenses. This triggered a significant institutional conflict between the Ministry of Interior and the Prosecutor's Office. The Sofia City Prosecutor's Office initiated an investigation into whether GDBOP officers exceeded their authority by investigating an individual with parliamentary immunity, subsequently seizing all investigation materials from the Ministry.

Interior Minister Demerdzhiev criticized the prosecution, suggesting they are attempting to intimidate investigators and protect political figures. MP Boyar Bozhdanov accused the prosecution of a “double standard,” claiming they are protecting Peevski's influence. In response, the Prosecutor's Office stated that public warnings from an executive official toward prosecutors are “unacceptable.” Legal expert Alexander Kashamov suggested the prosecution's actions might be a reaction to political pressure from Peevski.

Entities

Ivan Demerdzhiev · Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) · Vençislav Petkov · Bulgarian Interior Ministry · DPS - Novo Načale

Claims

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

[● 3 SOURCES] The State Audit Office opened a procedure to investigate possible conflict of interest of MP Delian Peevski.
[● 3 SOURCES] The probe will examine a three‑year period of Peevski’s assets and income versus his lifestyle.
[● 3 SOURCES] The investigation focuses on payments for private jet flights to foreign destinations, including Dubai, possibly financed by third parties.
[● 3 SOURCES] The audit must issue a motivated decision within three months, with possible extension.
[● 3 SOURCES] The signal alleged that payments for the flights may have been used to circumvent Magnitsky sanctions.
[● 3 SOURCES] The Sofia City Prosecutor's Office requested and received all materials from the GDBOP investigation regarding Delyan Peevski's private flights. trafficnews.bg · www.iskra.bg · fakti.bg
[● 3 SOURCES] Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev stated that it is time for the Bulgarian prosecution to demonstrate its impartiality. trafficnews.bg · fakti.bg · telenews.bg
[● 3 SOURCES] The Sofia City Prosecutor's Office has opened a case to investigate whether GDBOP officers exceeded their authority by investigating an individual with parliamentary immunity. trafficnews.bg · fakti.bg · telenews.bg
[○ 1 SOURCE] Peevski claims the flights were funded by his family.
[○ 1 SOURCE] DPS declined to comment on the case.

Timeline

22 days ago

[POLITICS] 9 sources
Bulgaria Ministry of Interior and Prosecution clash over Delyan Peevski investigation
Bulgaria's Ministry of Interior and the Prosecutor's Office are in conflict over a GDBOP investigation into MP Delyan Peevski's private flights, sparking allegations of political interference.
about 1 month ago

[POLITICS] 3 sources
Bulgarian Audit Office probes MP Delian Peevski's private jet flights
Bulgaria's State Audit Office has launched a probe into MP Delian Peevski over alleged undisclosed private‑jet flights, following a July 31 signal from Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev.
about 1 month ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
Vençislav Petkov accuses Radostin Vasilev of diverting parliamentary salary funds
Bulgarian MP Radostin Vasilev is accused by Vençislav Petkov of taking extra salary funds for personal purchases, including a 50,000‑lev watch, and of misusing party donations.

Sources

actualno.com · arbeidslivskunnskap.no · clubz.bg · defakto.bg · fakti.bg · focus-news.bg · iskra.bg · petel.bg · podtepeto.com · safenews.bg · standartnews.com · telenews.bg · zonanews.bg

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history