Senior Bulgarian judges face embezzelment charges

Several senior Bulgarian judges have been summoned by prosecutors over the alleged embezzlement of EU funds from the Operational Programme Administrative Capacity (OPAC), according to the Bulgarian media.

“There is a pre-court proceeding where there is an active investigation on,” said Bulgarian Prosecutor General Sotir Tsatsarov. “The case dates back to 2010. From January 2013 until now 81 witnesses have been questioned,” he added, according to Focus Information Agency.

Veselin P., chairman of the Sofia Court of Appeal, and Petar P., chairman of the Military Court of Appeal, are accused of embezzling funds designated for IT upgrades at Bulgarian military courts. Also facing allegations is Maria D., head of the incumbent Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski’s cabinet and director of the OPAC. The Military Prosecutors’ Office suspects the three of having misappropriated BGN 200,000 (approx. EUR 102,200) from an OPAC program.

One of the accused, Veselin P., has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, according to the Focus Information Agency. He claims that the charges are aimed at derailing his bid for a second term in office. He also accused Delyan Peevski MEP of the Movement for Rights and Freedom party of ordering the investigation.

Former Interior Minister Tsvetan T. is currently in court facing charges of embezzlement, having allegedly also taken funds from the OPAC program.