A team of five investigators and two prosecutors will check the signal for acquiring Bulgarian citizenship by naturalization through investments. This was announced by the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office, noting that pre-trial proceedings have already been initiated. As we reported, on a signal from the Ministry of Justice /MoJ/, the SANS has so far identified five cases of serious violations in obtaining Bulgarian citizenship against investments.
„All cases for the period 2015-2021 are being checked. The purpose of the inspection is to establish whether an organized criminal group / OCG / operates on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and whether employees of the Bulgarian Investment Agency participate in it. The acquisition of property in an illegal manner is being investigated in connection with the provision of Bulgarian citizenship to foreign citizens by naturalization through investments.„, the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office said.
Prosecutors have instructed the State Agency for National Security (SANS) to verify the origin of the money used for investment, as well as their movement.
„The investigation is distinguished by practical and legal complexity, as well as the fact that the interests of the Republic of Bulgaria may be endangered with regard to Bulgaria’s membership in the Schengen area and the abolition of visas to the United States. Today, prosecutors have prepared requests for information and documentation from the Bulgarian Investment Agency, the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Justice, Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior. The case will be reported to the European Commission and the European Parliament.“, the State Prosecution added.
The officials there clarified that the pre-trial proceedings initiated at the moment were for a committed crime and not against a specific perpetrator.
„We are at a very early stage to find out exactly who committed what crime. Once the facts are established, the perpetrators will be brought to justice.„, said the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office.
