Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

National Customs Agency head Petya Bankova detained for 72 hours

Petya Bankova
Photo: BTA

National Customs Agency Director General Petya Bankova has been detained for 72 hours, the Bulgarian news agency BTA has reported.

Bankova’s lawyer Adelina Natina told reporters that her client had been charged with participation in an organized criminal group for trading in influence, contraband, bribery, together with three other people whom she does not know. Adelina Natina stated, that in an informal conversation, employees of the counter-corruption commission told her that the home of Zhivko Kotsev, Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior, had been searched. Earlier today, Zhivko Kotsev submitted his resignation. Natina also showed the decision by the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office with the charges against Petya Bankova. The other people who have been charged are Stefan Dimitrov, Marin Dimitrov and Nikola Nikolov, while Bankova’s deputy Lyudmil Marinov has been released. Lawyer Adelina Natina stated further that Bankova does not know the other people who have been charged with participation in a criminal group and added the prosecutor’s office could demand that the court issue a pre-trial detention order for Bankova. Adelina Natina confirmed that ten people had been arrested during yesterday’s operation, but that charges have only been leveled against four of them. 



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

MPs face seventh failed attempt to elect Parliamentary Speaker

In a record-long session lasting 18 days, Bulgarian MPs made a seventh failed attempt to elect a speaker of the National Assembly. After several breaks and a re-vote for the oldest MP, Silvi Kirilov from “There Is Such a People" (ITN), only a few..

published on 11/28/24 3:26 PM

Delyan Peevski says he can form a cabinet if given the opportunity

The leader of “МРФ – New Beginning” Delyan Peevski has expressed his readiness to take the post of prime minister. “When we are the first party, I will form a government,” he said on the sidelines of the National Assembly. “If the Bulgarians give..

published on 11/28/24 2:51 PM
Boyko Borissov

Boyko Borisov: There is no chance for GERB-SDS, PP-DB, BSP-United Left and ITN to form a cabinet

The chairman of GERB Boyko Borisov once again stated that the winning formula for forming a regular government is for it to be supported by GERB-SDS, “We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria”, “BSP – United Left” and ITN. However, he clarified that..

published on 11/28/24 2:42 PM