site.btaUPDATED Nastimir Ananiev MP: Police Probe Belgian Company which Was His Accounting Firm's Client

Nastimir Ananiev MP of Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria Wednesday told reporters that a probe was in progress into a Belgian company which had used his accounting firm's services.

Earlier in the day, the Interior Ministry said an operation was under way in two offices in Sofia.

Ananiev said he had learned from the media there were police in the office but he was not worried. The office manager told him there was an ongoing probe into a Belgian company which had employed the services of Ananiev's firm and the accountant would make the requested documents available.

The MP said it was unacceptable to have the media learn before the owner what is happening, adding that this was a "political cudgel". He said there was nothing wrong with serving foreign companies and when someone asks for documents, they will be provided. "We will cooperate with the authorities," Ananiev said.

Asked about his business, Ananiev said it is "an accounting firm serving Bulgarian and foreign clients".

Later Wednesday, the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office (SCPO) reported that it was executing a European Investigation Order (EIO) issued in Antwerp, Belgium, in connection with an investigation into an organized criminal group dealing with money laundering and illegal trafficking of narcotics and psychotropic substances. The criminal group allegedly involved Belgian natural and legal persons and Bulgarian legal persons. The SCPO has requested permission from the Sofia City Court to carry out searches and seizures at addresses in Sofia.