site.btaUPDATED Protesters Support Mayor Arrested in Probe into Subsidy Fraud Involving Social Housing, BSP Stand Behind Him

A protest rally in support of Valentin Dimitrov, Mayor of General Toshevo Municipality (Northeastern Bulgaria), was staged on Thursday morning by the local chapter of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and local people in front of the police building in Dobrich. The protesters claim Dimitrov is the most respectable mayor they have ever had. The BSP's Executive Bureau also issued a position, expressing their support for Dimitrov's and belief in his innocence.

Later in the day, Dimitrov went out of the precinct police department and briefly joined his supporters who applauded him, chanting "Freedom" and "Bravo, Valyo!". The mayor declined comment to the media, saying he was about to be questioned by the Investigation Service which is housed in the same building. 

Dimitrov said only: "It is worth fighting for all these people here."

He also said that he has been released from custody on a BGN 10,000 bail and will later discuss with his lawyer if he will appeal it.

BSP's Executive Bureau said in a position on Thursday that they see Dimitrov's arrest as politically motivated and taking place on the eve of the local elections. 

Various appetites are intertwined in the Municipality. Valentin Dimitrov was protecting the interests of General Toshevo's residents and became inconvenient to certain circles, the Socialists said in their position, adding that they expect an objective investigation.

"We're certain about his innocence. We stand behind him. We are nominating him for a third term in office as mayor," the party said. 

At the request of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Sofia, Dimitrov was arrested on Wednesday in a probe into subsidy fraud involving a project for increasing energy efficiency in social housing.

The facts date back to 2017-2019, EPPO said. At issue is an EU grant of EUR 169,000 obtained by the municipality for a project to increase energy efficiency in multifamily residential buildings. The project was designated to a private contractor.

According to the evidence, public officials involved in the project, including the mayor, presented untrue information regarding the implementation of the works, which had not been concluded by the established deadline, EPPO also said.