Yesterday, a huge scandal related to corruption in Varna was revealed. One of the two detained municipal officials was released, while the other remains in custody. This was announced by Deputy Mayor for security, Iliya Koev.
After yesterday’s GDCOC (General Directorate Combating Organized Crime) action, which led to the arrest of four police officers and two municipal officials, public attention is now focused on measures against corruption at the local level. Out of the four police officers found guilty of receiving a bribe of BGN 800, one also remains behind bars, while the others have been released.
The detained municipal officials, who occupy lower positions in the hierarchy and work in the field, were caught with a bribe of 2,000 euros. They are part of the municipality’s Building Control Directorate and it is believed that the bribe was intended to ease or ignore certain building regulations.
Under the direction and supervision of the Varna District Prosecutor’s Office, an investigation is being conducted into a requested and accepted bribe by an official from the Municipality of Varna. The complicity of a municipal employee in the crime was established.
After an analysis of the evidence collected so far, criminal charges will be brought. The prosecutor overseeing the case will decide what restraining order to request from the court. The work on the case, carried out by employees of the GDCOC at the Ministry of the Interior, continues under the guidance and supervision of the Varna District Prosecutor’s Office.
This case highlights the urgent need to strengthen anti-corruption measures in Bulgaria. Corruption undermines trust in institutions and hinders the development of the rule of law, while harming the country’s economic and social development.
In the wake of the revelations, the public and the media reacted strongly, demanding transparency and accountability from the authorities. There is a growing trend of active citizen participation in the fight against corruption, with people demanding strict punishments for the guilty and more effective measures to prevent similar cases in the future.
