(Luxembourg, 09 August 2023) – At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Sofia (Bulgaria), the mayor of the city of General Toshevo (Dobrich province) was arrested today, in a probe into subsidy fraud involving a project for increasing energy efficiency in social housing.
Searches were also carried out today in the premises of the municipality, in the offices of public officials suspected of involvement in the crimes under investigation. Several witnesses and suspects will be questioned.
The facts date back to 2017–2019. At issue is a grant obtained by the municipality for a project to increase energy efficiency in multifamily residential buildings, financed by the European Union, to the amount of €169 000 (approximately BGN 330 000). 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.
All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in the competent Bulgarian courts of law.
The EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.