Bulgaria PM Borisov Agrees New Probe of DPS, Dogan Properties

Domestic | November 19, 2009, Thursday // 19:42|  views

Ivan Kostov, DSB leader, announced a renewed investigation of properties managed by ethnic Turkish party (DPS) leader Ahmed Dogan. Photo by BGNES

Bulgarian PM Boris Borisov has undertaken to renew the investigation into property managed by the ethnic Turkish party (DPS), or rather its leader Ahmed Dogan.

This has been announced on Thursday in the Bulgarian parliament by Ivan Kostov, leader of the Democrats for Strong Bulgaria party (DSB), following a meeting with the Prime Minister to warn him about the properties.

The investigation will probe some five properties: the famous "Boyana Saray" in the Boyana district of Sofia; the Casa Domini hotel in Ribaritsa; the Orpheus spa complex in Devin; Rosenets park, close to Burgas; and the Palace of the Children, in Drandar - Dogan’s native village.

During their meeting, Kostov had reminded Borisov of the warning by DSB in 2008, in which they had insisted on a parliamentary investigation of the properties.

In his written submission to the Prime Minister, they have proposed that Bulgaria's National Security Agency (DANS) check into any money laundering by the owners of the properties, and that the National Revenue Agency (NRA) should conduct a full review of the revenues, incomes and expenses, the companies’ balance sheets and those of the owners of the properties in question.

The aim of these investigations would be to discover the sources of those incomes and whether local taxes had been paid, said Kostov.

Citing one alleged example, Kostov said that Dogan had not handed in Hermes Foundation tax declarations and had not included such information in his own declarations according to the law on Publicity of Property of Individuals at High State Positions.

The Anti-Corruption Commission of the previous parliament had conducted an investigation, depositing some evidence with the State Prosecutor's office, but this had come to a stop, reminded Kostov. He had now insisted on a renewal of the investigation, and the PM had undertaken to conduct it.

A week ago, Borisov said that responsibility on the part of the leader of DPS could only with difficulty be uncovered, as Dogan never signed anything in his own name. However, the documents that Kostov had now presented included some with Dogan’s signature, he pointed out.

Lyutvo Mestan, deputy chair of the DPS, stated in the parliamentary lobby that his party would not obstruct, but would assist any investigation concerning DPS.

"We support all investigations into the DPS, including those initiated by Kostov, who has the warmest feelings for our leader Ahmed Dogan", added Mestan.

“After these checks though, I want to ask with what resources would this anti-DPS campaign continue,” he said. Mestan stated that there is a deliberate intention to "criminalize" the ethnic Turkish party, DPS.

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Tags: Ivan Kostov, Boris Borisov, Ahmed Dogan, Lyutvo Mestan, DPS, DSB, DANS, NRA, property deals

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