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Bulgarian parliamentary corruption probes

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-21 11:44 UTC → 2026-08-22 20:57 UTC · added removed

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. Interior Minister Demerdzhiev criticized the prosecutor's office following its decision to seize all materials from This triggered a significant institutional conflict between the GDBOP investigation, calling for impartial action Ministry of Interior and requesting that the National Audit Office verify Peevski's declared income against his lifestyle. In response, the Prosecutor's Office. The Sofia City Prosecutor's Office initiated a separate an investigation into whether GDBOP officers exceeded their authority by investigating an individual with parliamentary immunity. 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 expressed concerns that suggested the prosecution's actions might be a reaction to political pressure, suggesting the investigation into the investigators could be an attempt to protect pressure from Peevski.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-22 20:57 UTC Bulgarian parliamentary corruption probes
  2. 2026-08-21 11:44 UTC Bulgarian parliamentary corruption probes
  3. 2026-08-21 06:51 UTC Bulgarian parliamentary corruption probes
  4. 2026-08-05 14:15 UTC Bulgarian parliamentary corruption probes

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