Bulgaria: ex-Prime Minister Borissov arrested on suspicion of corruption

Former Prime Minister Boïko Borissov during his arrest in the suburbs of Sofia in Bulgaria, March 17, 2022. © Dimitar Kyosemarliev/AP

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The former head of the Bulgarian government Boïko Borissov was arrested this Thursday evening as part of an investigation by the European public prosecutor's office on suspicion of embezzlement.

A thunderclap in his country, just a few months after the coming to power of a reformist government which has given priority to the fight against corruption.

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The news was made public through a press release from the Bulgarian Interior Ministry.

The arrest of

, along with several members of his entourage, on suspicion of embezzlement.

Vladislav Goranov, a former finance minister, Sevdalina Arnaudova, Borissov's communications adviser, and Menda Stoïanova, the former president of the Bulgarian parliamentary budget committee, were also arrested.

The dragnet comes just after the visit to Sofia of Laura Kövesi, placed at the head of the European public prosecutor's office, whose objective is to fight against fraud in the Community budget.

The European Public Prosecutor's Office has opened several investigations into corruption cases in the agriculture and construction sectors, but also in the use of economic recovery funds linked to the Covid-19 pandemic.

If there is no detection of fraud, there can be no investigations.

Thanks to 🇧🇬 Prime Minister @KirilPetkov for his determination, leadership & compelling vision on the fight against corruption.

Laura Kövesi: "I am grateful to the Bulgarian citizens for their trust in #EPPO..." pic.twitter.com/ZRjoc6i0he

— European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) (@EUProsecutor) March 16, 2022

A new anti-corruption executive in charge

"

" commented on social networks Kiril Petkov.

The current Prime Minister came to power in the fall of 2021, surfing on

linked precisely to corruption cases.

Aged 41, trained at Harvard, Kiril Petkov had pledged to turn the page on the affairs and impunity of political elites.

►Also listen: European of the week - Kiril Petkov, Bulgaria's "Mister Clean"

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