Commandos Join Battle against Bulgarian Mafia

Bulgaria’s Interior Chief Secretary, Kalin Georgiev, has stated that commandos from the specialized unit to combat terrorism will help in the fight against organized crime. Photo by BGNES

By Matthew Day

The Scotsman

BULGARIA'S government has enlisted the help of the country's special forces in a fight against organised crime.

Anti-terrorist troops are to assist in an offensive against the powerful Bulgarian mafia, Kalin Georgiev, chief secretary to the interior minister, said yesterday.

With crime fighters targeting 300 of the "most wanted mafia bosses", the commandos will provide training and expert advice.

The European Union has grown angry and worried about Bulgaria's perceived failure to destroy the criminal gangs, which flourished and put down deep roots in the chaotic years that followed the overthrow of communism two decades ago. In 2008, with structural funds disappearing into pockets of mafia bosses, the EU cut Bulgaria's access to millions of euros earmarked for the country's development.

In July, Brussels will assess Bulgaria's progress in the fight, a factor which could have major implications for one of the poorest countries in the EU.

Boris Velchev, Bulgaria's chief prosecutor, told a news conference: "We are confronting people who in the past 20 years seemed absolutely untouchable."

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!