Bulgaria Top Prosecutor Admits Failure in Land Swap Deals

Bulgaria's Chief Prosecutor, Boris Velchev, says next week the authorities will plan how to respond to the European Commission warnings of steep fines over the illegal land swaps. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria's Chief Prosecutor, Boris Velchev, admits his office cannot do anything about the notorious land swaps carried out by the former cabinet.

Velchev told the members of the Supreme Judicial Council (VSS) Thursday that the Prosecution had done everything within their authority and have begun pre-trail proceedings for most of the deals during the spring of 2009 without any outcome.

“I am not talking about passing the ball, but now – my office, the Cabinet and the Ministry of Agriculture must think of a solution for this situation,” Velchev pointed out.

Bulgaria's Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, informed Wednesday that the country faces steep fines from Brussels over the illegal land swaps.

The Chief Prosecutor reported that next week the State will plan how to respond to the European Commission.

Agriculture Minister, Miroslav Naidenov, announced Thursday that all land swaps done by the Socialists-led cabinet of the Three-Party Coalition, were illegal.

“The former Director of the Agriculture Fund, Stefan Yurukov, is yet to explain how in the matter of just days, 47 land swap deals have been finalized. I believe this had not been Yurukov's personal decision, but cabinet policy,” Naidenov said, adding the situation is very grave.

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