site.btaSofia City Prosecution Office Opens Two Pre-Trial Proceedings into Hemus Motorway Lot 4, Northern Speed Tangent

The Sofia City Prosecution Office (SCPO) has initiated two pre-trial proceedings based on sufficient data indicating possible crimes related to the construction of Lot 4 of the Hemus Motorway and the Northern Speed Tangent project, the prosecution service said here on Thursday.

The pre-trial proceeding concerning the Hemus Motorway was initiated over failure to exercise sufficient care in performing assigned duties, resulting in significant damage to Avtomagistrali EAD, while the other case concerns an abuse of office related to the performance of official duties in accepting the Northern Speed Tangent project, specifically discrepancies between the contracted and actual thickness of the asphalt pavement and concrete stabilization.

The proceedings will also examine the selection of contractors and possible violations in their selection, the lawful spending of funds and the justification for payments made.

The actions and omissions of officials from Avtomagistrali EAD, the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works and the Road Infrastructure Agency who were involved in preparing the relevant documentation, accepting the completed works, making payments and determining the value of the contracted activities will also be examined.

The investigations under both pre-trial proceedings have been assigned to investigators from the Sofia City Prosecution Office.

Numerous witnesses are expected to be questioned, while all relevant documentation will be obtained and analysed in accordance with the proper procedures, and the necessary expert assessments will be prepared, the SCPO said.

On July 30, acting Prosecutor General Vanya Stefanova held a working meeting at the Palace of Justice with Regional Development and Infrastructure Minister Ivan Shishkov and Justice Minister Nikolay Naydenov concerning the projects.

The files concerning advance payments for the Hemus Motorway, illegal construction of its fourth lot, Sofia's Northern Speed Tangent, the Sofia Ring Road and sections of the Trakia Motorway have remained without further action for three years, Shishkov told Focus Radio.