site.btaBusinessman Vetko Arabadjiev and Wife Marinela Detained near Barcelona

120 JUSTICE - ARABADJIEVS - DETAINED

Businessman Vetko Arabadjiev
and Wife Marinela
Detained near Barcelona


Sofia, March 7 (BTA) - Vetko and Marinela Arabadjiev were detained near Barcelona on Thursday morning by the Spanish authorities, the Prosecutor General's Spokesperson Roumyana Arnaudova told a briefing.

The Arabadjievs have been charged in absentia with involvement in an organized crime group for money laundering and tax fraud. Their son Vulcho has been in remand in Bulgaria since last September.

Arnaudova said that the Spanish law enforcers, acting on a European Arrest Warrant, found Vetko and Marinela Arabadjiev while searching a home used by businessman Georgi Semerdjiev. He was also detained as he is wanted in Switzerland, reportedly for questioning in connection with financial fraud.

The Spanish court is yet to allow the Arabadjievs to be turned over to the Bulgarian authorities.

Late last August, Bulgarian law enforcers searched homes, hotels, offices and safe deposit boxes owned by the Arabadjievs, seizing over 10 million leva in cash and six luxury cars. LI/DD
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