site.btaLovech Police Chief Dismissed on Disciplinary Grounds, His Deputy Suspended

The Director of the Lovech Regional Directorate of Interior, Senior Commissioner Stanislav Velikov, has been dismissed on disciplinary grounds by order of caretaker Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov last week, Lovech police spokesperson Gabriela Todorova told BTA on Tuesday.

Deputy Director Georgi Ivanov was suspended on Monday and disciplinary proceedings were initiated against him.  

Velikov was suspended by order of the Interior Minister in mid-February and temporarily replaced by Doncho Manov on April 3 after disciplinary proceedings were initiated against him, the Interior Ministry said.

Nova Television reported that Velikov's suspension was prompted by suspicion of corruption and bad practices.

Nova recalled on Monday that Velikov had refused to suspend his deputy, Georgi Ivanov, who was found to be involved in an electricity theft following an investigative report of that TV outlet.