Bulgaria to Give Seized Mafia Assets to Charity

Stoyan Kushlev, head of the Commission in charge of seizing the illegally acquired assets in favor of the State aka the “Kushlev Commission.” Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria might soon have a new Committee to manage the assets seized from criminals as Stoyan Kushlev, Head of the so-called “Kushlev Commission” proposed.

The “Kushlev” Commission is the one in charge of seizing the illegally acquired assets in favor of the State.

The establishment of the new Committee will not require any additional funds because it will be headed by the Finance Minister and will include as members representatives of other ministries.

Kushlev says there is a need of a national fund to deposit the seized assets which must later be distributed to charities, law enforcement, day care facilities, and crime victims, adding he feels ashamed when asked by EU institutions what is Bulgaria doing to compensate victims of crime because the country is not doing anything.

The Commission Head further proposes to sell seized buildings and open day care centers and kindergarten facilities with the money. He presented the experience of the United States when factories are seized and companies to manage these properties for the State are hired and recommended that assets are not always sold when there is an option to generate profits.

A law regarding the seized assets will be received by the Council of Ministers by the end of July and by the Parliament in the fall.

Earlier Thursday, the Members of the Parliament approved the report of the Kushlev Commission for 2009. This same report was rejected by the previous Parliament with the motive the Commission is ineffective and is not generating revenues for the budget.

In 2009, the Commission asked to restrain assets in the amount of BGN 255 M while the court has authorized the seizure of assets in the amount of BGN 254 M, the now approved report shows.

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