site.btaProsecution Service Checks Bribe Offer to Defence Minister

NW 13:54:01 24-04-2015
SN1353NW.117
117 HOME AFFAIRS - DEFENCE MINISTER - BRIBE OFFER

Prosecution Service Checks
Bribe Offer to
Defence Minister


Sofia, April 24 (BTA) - The prosecuting magistracy said in a
press release on Friday that it is launching a check into a
bribe allegedly offered to Bulgarian Defence Minister Nikolay
Nenchev.

Nenchev said in an interview that unnamed people had conveyed to
him an offer for the payment of a "substantial percentage" if
he agrees to sign an 80 million leva contract for the
maintenance of warplanes. Nenchev asserted that those people are
"exceedingly resourceful, they tried to offer me a percentage
of those 80 million leva". He further said that he had received
death threats in connection with the office he holds now.

"So far Nikolay Nenchev has by no means notified the pre-trial
proceedings authorities of the alleged bribe offer, even though
this is an obligation of every public official," the prosecution
service press release reads.

The check will be conducted by the Specialized Unit for
Investigation of Corruption Offences, acting on its own
initiative. In the course of the check, Nenchev will be
interviewed, after which it will be determined whether further
information has to be gathered, including about offers for the
maintenance of Air Force aviation materiel. The allegations of
threats will be checked as well. PK/LG


/СН/