site.btaContinue the Change Reports MRF–New Beginning’s Peevski to European Public Prosecutor’s Office Over Alleged Chiren Gas Project Coercion

Continue the Change (CC) submitted a report to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office on Friday, calling for an investigation into European Prosecutor Teodora Georgieva’s allegations that she was coerced and pressured by Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF)-New Beginning Floor Leader Delyan Peevski, the party’s press service said here on Friday.

The allegations concern an ongoing criminal proceeding led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office on the EU-funded expansion of the Chiren gas storage facility.

Georgieva claimed Peevski interfered with the investigation by pressuring a European prosecutor not to take certain official actions. The report further suggests that Peevski may have forced contractors to deviate from approved specifications and safety protocols for personal gain.

If necessary, the report urges the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Bulgaria to request Peevski’s parliamentary immunity.

The Chiren gas storage expansion is a BGN 600 million project led by Bulgartransgaz, aimed at doubling capacity and modernizing the underground facility. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) launched an investigation in the summer of 2024 into alleged misuse of EU funds for this project. Bulgartransgaz Executive Director and former caretaker energy minister Vladimir Malinov has denied any wrongdoing and insists that all actions have complied with Bulgarian legislation.

European Prosecutor Teodora Georgieva alleged that Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) – New Beginning Floor Leader Delyan Peevski pressured contractors to deviate from approved specifications and threatened her over the Chiren project. Peevski, designated under the US Global Magnitsky Act in 2021 and sanctioned by the UK in 2023 for alleged corruption, denies the accusations. He has said he will appeal Georgieva’s claims before the Bulgarian prosecution service.