Bulgaria Court Acquits Ex CEO of State Tobacco Company

The delayed trial had begun in 2008 when Lachev was suspended from his CEO position after allegations that he and his wife had not declared all their income and avoided paying tax of over BGN 70 000. Photo by BGNES

Sofia City Court has acquitted the former CEO of state tobacco company Bulgartabac Hristo Lachev and his wife Mirela Lacheva over tax evasion charges.

The Court stated Wednesday that the couple is not guilty and that the cost of the court proceedings and their bail would be paid by the Bulgarian state.

The delayed trial had begun in 2008 when Lachev was suspended from his CEO position after allegations that he and his wife had not declared all their income and avoided paying tax of over BGN 70 000. The state prosecutors had requested a conditional 3-year sentence.

Lachev’s lawyer, Vasil Vasilev, said the allegations had been based on assumptions and that it was now proved that they had done nothing wrong. The state has 15 days to appeal the decision.

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