Sat, Nov 21 2009

Doupnitsa mayor charged with embezzling EU funds

Tue, Feb 17 2009 10:30 CET byNick Iliev 1562 Views 4 Comments
Atanas Yanev, mayor of Dоupnitsa, has been accused of the fraudulent acquisition of "large amounts of money from European Union funds," reports Dnevnik daily. If convicted, he faces between three and 15 years' imprisonment. He has been released on 10 000 leva bail.

One specific charge relates to events in 2004 and 2005. While in charge of the company Spetsialen Remont, he allegedly siphoned 36 000 euro from the European educational programme Leonardo da Vinci. Spetsialen Remont had received the money as part of a training programme whereby company staff would be sent to Europe for specialist training. The funds, however, were allegedly seized by Yanev using false documentation. When questioned by the prosecution, Yanev said that "I went to Belgium and it was all paid for".

The mayor is among the staunchest supporters of Angel Hristov and Plamen Galev, notorious in Bulgaria as the Galevi brothers, whose alleged links to organised crime have made headlines in recent months. The two controversial businessmen are both members of a consultative civic council set up by Yanev.

The prosecution is also investigating the legitimacy of this "municipal branch", which was introduced by Yanev in the local administration of Doupnitsa.

Comments

Anonymous Ivaylo Chatov Wed, Feb 18 2009 11:56 CET
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One would not have thought it even conceivable, if following events in the press is anything to go by, that a corrupt Bulgarian mayor would be indicted. And now it looks like one is (almost, since he is presumed innocent until proven otherwise) down.

Anonymous Dianne Hatton Wed, Feb 18 2009 10:20 CET
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One down 1,456 Mayors to go. Show me a mayor who is not corrupt and I'll introduce you to the pope.

Anonymous Mirilai Lai Wed, Feb 18 2009 01:24 CET
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What do you know. The puppet of the Galevi brothers is also a disgusting and crooked individual...who would have thought. As they say, there is mafia in every country, but in Bulgaria, the mafia has a country. Sad state of affairs, indeed. Yanev and the Galev brothers have come to symbolize everything that is wrong with Bulgaria. They must be put in jail for decades. Otherwise, Bulgaria will be a European country only on paper. It comes as no surprise that about a million Bulgarians have permanently left Bulgaria in search of opportunities elsewhere. Who can blame them, when you see that people like Yanev and the Galevi brothers are in control.

Anonymous Patrick Harris Tue, Feb 17 2009 22:30 CET
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Send him to England for a crash course in honesty and integrity, tutors - Gordon Brown and Alister Darling

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