Bulgarian Former Fisheries Head To Face Abuse of Power Charges

Erman Zankov, former Head of the Bulgarian Fisheries Agency, is scheduled to appear at Sofia City Court, to face charges of breach of trust and of financial irregularities. Photo by BGNES

Sofia City Court will sit in the case against the former Head of the Fisheries Agency Erman Zankov, charged with abuse of office. The hearing is scheduled to begin on Thursday, January 28.

Prior to becoming head of the Fisheries Agency (NAFA), Zankov was its chief accountant. Sofia City Prosecutor's Office had accused him of criminal breach of trust in 2001. Instead of being removed from the agency to answer the charges, Zankov became its chief.

In September 2004 Zankov was additionally accused of extortion. Police investigators claimed they had found sufficient grounds that the fisheries director was involved in racketeering. However, the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office terminated the investigation.

One year later, businessman Krasimir Modev lodged a protest against the covering of the scandal. Throughout the investigation, Zankov never attempted to hide his connections with his high-placed guardians from DPS.

The Sofia City Court (SCC) heard the case against Zankov and two other accused, of improper spending of BGN 450 000 by the former State Fisheries Inspectorate.

The illicit spending came to light following an audit by state financial control. The money had been allocated for restocking of rivers and ponds during the period 1998 - 1999.

Following the 1999 inspection, the prosecution submitted an indictment the following year. It is this criminal case that is set to proceed in January, 2010.

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