Text size

EPPO opens investigation into €4.5 million fraud of EU funds in Vratsa

published on 2/11/25 2:08 PM

Photo: Joro Aleksandrov

The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Sofia has filed an indictment with the Sofia District Court against the manager and owner of a company suspected of fraud in a public procurement procedure to the tune of €4.5 million (BGN 8 838 308). The amount was earmarked for the purchase of 9 electric trolley buses to be used for public transport in the municipality of Vratsa.

During the public tender procedure, the defendant stated that the trolleybuses would come from a Polish company, but the vehicles were purchased from a state-owned company in Belarus, which was later placed under EU sanctions for supporting Russia's war in Ukraine.

The Polish company is said to have gone into liquidation shortly after the procurement was completed. The investigation found that the trolleybuses were sold at almost double the original purchase price paid by the contractor.

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Radio Bulgaria News eppo fraud trolley buses vratsa

More from category

Bulgaria buys 35 EMUs for state railways

A contract for the purchase of 35 electric multiple units (EMUs) has been signed at the Council of Ministers. This is the largest order placed by the Bulgarian state in the last 20 years and the largest investment in rolling stock, announced Transport..

published on 4/25/25 1:50 PM

Bulgaria needs to reorganize and modernize its arms industry, says Minister Zapryanov

If we delay and do not reorganize and modernize our arms industry, in 5-6 years it will be exotic for the European arms market. This is a major challenge", said Bulgaria’s Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov during the discussion “The Hague 2025:..

published on 4/25/25 12:01 PM

Bulgaria meets NATO's target of spending at least 2% of GDP on defense

In 2024, Bulgaria spent USD 2.208 billion (3.964 billion BGN), or 2.04% of its GDP, on defense, reads the annual report of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. For the first time, the country has met the NATO target set in 2014, which requires each..

published on 4/25/25 10:53 AM