site.btaSofia City Prosecutor's Office Starts Money Laundering Investigation

On June 21, an Investigative Inspector of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) initiated pre-trial proceedings with a search and seizure, alleging that between 2018 and 2023, an official of the Ministry of Education and Science knowingly entered into an unfavorable transaction for the purchase of vehicles. This was announced by the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office on Wednesday.

Numerous searches and seizures were carried out, during which money, gold and documents were found and seized as material evidence. A total of EUR 547,000 and BGN 50,000 were seized from Z.O. From S. T. a total of BGN 320,000, EUR 510,000, and 272 coins of yellow metal with an approximate value of BGN 1,146,100 were seized. Witnesses were questioned.

Three persons have been charged. An official of the Ministry of Education and Science with the initials A.M. and two people - Z.O. and S.T., who knowingly helped him to conclude an unfavourable deal for the purchase of vehicles, resulting in significant damage to the Ministry of Education and Science and the case is particularly serious. Z.O. and S.T. were also charged with money laundering.

The Sofia City Court has ordered detention in custody of Z.O. and S.T.

The investigation into the case continues, the statement said.