site.btaSpecialized Prosecution Office Probes Criminal Association of Bojkov, Journalists, Politicians for Treason

July 14 (BTA) - Bulgaria's Specialized Prosecution Office has launched a new investigation against gambling mogul Vassil Bojkov in connection with participation in a criminal association with journalists and politicians for the purpose of committing offences against the Republic, the prosecution service said in a press release on Tuesday.

While the offence concerned was not specified, it appears that the subject of investigation is treason, which is defined in the Penal Code as "taking part in an attempt to forcefully seize central or local government power, in a rebellion or an armed uprising for the purpose of overthrowing, undermining or weakening state power in the Republic". Upon conviction, treason carries 10 to 20 years' imprisonment, life imprisonment, or life imprisonment without commutation.

Earlier in the day, the Prosecutor General's Spokesperson Siika Mileva said that the new investigation will clarify links between parties accused of organized crime, journalists and politicians.

In connection with the new probe, the prosecution service made public transcripts of four wiretapped telephone conversations held in June and July 2020 between Bojkov and journalist Ognyan Stefanov and between Bojkov and BSP for Bulgaria MP Alexander Paunov, leader of the Bulgarian Communist Party. Stefanov and Paunov were identified as the calling parties by the State Agency for National Security.

It transpires from the transcripts that Bojkov is organizing and financing the anti-corruption protests that have been staged daily countrywide since last Thursday with demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and his Cabinet and of Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev. Bojkov says that his only purpose is "to purge the junta from power" and topple Borissov and Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov. He wants "protests to the bitter end" and "Boyko to be crushed". The businessman mentions advising President Radev about a caretaker cabinet and discusses his political project and plans to send MPs to the next parliament after early elections so as to curb Geshev's powers without amending the Constitution.

Eighteen other charges have already been brought against Bojkov: evasion of more than 700 million leva in gambling licensing fees, money laundering, extortion, bribery, murder, abetting in murder, attempted rape, leading an organized crime group since 2014, trading in influence, and unlawful possession of cultural assets. The businessman, once considered to be the wealthiest Bulgarian with assets worth between 1.5 and 3 billion leva, lost his gambling empire overnight in early 2020 when Parliament outlawed private lotteries and left the country before the full-scale crackdown against him and is now in the United Arab Emirates, from where Bulgaria is seeking his extradition.

"The public has the right to know how Vassil Bojkov and Tzvetan Vassilev are partnering with 'honest' journalists and politicians," Mileva said in her statement, referring to the owner of the failed Corpbank, charged with syphoning 7 billion leva from the bank, who is fighting Bulgaria's extradition request in Belgrade. The Spokesperson said that the prosecution service is subject to a campaign financed with hundreds of millions or even billions stolen from the people.

Mileva pointed out that the prosecution service backs the right of everyone to protest peacefully for better life in Bulgaria. On the other hand, there is evidence of accused parties taking advantage of the protestors' demands to obstruct the prosecution service.

"We are waiting for President Rumen Radev to respond how his concept that the prosecution service is racketeering relates to the evidence of links with organized criminals in the context of developments in recent days," the Prosecutor General's Spokesperson said.

Interviewed on National Radio, Stefanov confirmed that the published transcripts of his conversations with Bojkov were authentic. The journalist said that he communicated with the businessman out of professional and media interest and said he was unaware whether Bojkov was behind the alleged organizing of the protests. "I have nothing to do with that. I cannot be held responsible for him. I don't know that person," Stefanov insisted.

Bojkov himself posted a reaction on Facebook, saying that the "shattering evidence" is publicly available and can be read here or heard in an interview. "Prepare another 19 charges. I have been backing the protests against you since their very first day, and I will continue to do so," he wrote. RI/LG

/СН/