Mayor of Boychinovtsi Svetlin Sreteniev, Deputy Mayor Tanya Petrova and another employee of the local administration were arrested. Their detention came after several investigations by journalist Tina Ivaylova and GlasNews, which alleged theft of millions of EU funds from road repairs, vote-buying, and fictitious employees employed by the Municipality. According to unconfirmed reports, Sreteniev fell ill on the way to the capital and was taken to a hospital in Montana.
In relation to this, road expert Diana Rusinova commented: „Today, after years of corruption and abuse of power, the mayor of Boychinovtsi Municipality was detained and taken out of the municipality building in handcuffs. This important moment for justice came after the investigations of journalist Tina Ivailova and the active work of the European Center for Transport Policies.
Tina’s persistence played a key role in the case by uncovering abuses of European funds and identifying improper practices in public procurement. Through the signal from the European Center for Transport Policies (ECTP) regarding manipulations in the contractor selection procedures, lack of real competition, and systematic violations in the use of public funds.
I remind you that in 2023, my colleagues from the Association even confirmed discrepancies in the implementation of infrastructure projects, where we identified irregularities in the quality of asphalt and other construction activities funded with significant sums, for which we also submitted a report to the European Prosecutor’s Office.
This collective work between journalists, non-governmental organizations, and civil society is an example of the results that can be achieved through transparency and active pressure on institutions. After years of impunity, there is now hope for justice and a better future for the residents of Boychinovtsi.“
Expert: Introducing a tax on the mining industry revenues is the apogee of managerial failure!
