Bulgarian Ex Minister Claims Innocent in Embezzlement Case

Former Bulgarian Labor and Social Minister Emiliya Maslarova claimed she was innocent and did not embezzle BGN 11 M during her leadership. Photo by BGNES

The Sofia City Court has failed to launch the trial against Bulgaria's former Labor and Social Minister Emiliya Maslarova, who was charged with large-scale embezzlement.

According to senior prosecution Boris Velchev, a probe had shown that the Ministry of Labor and Social Services, under the leadership of Maslarova, had slated BGN 18,8 M for the renovations of a social home in the southern city of Stara Zagora.

Only BGN 7,8 M have been used for construction and repairs, while the remaining BNG 11 M were embezzled through fake invoices.

Other defendants in the case are Maslarova's Deputy, Dimitar Dimitrov, her Chief Secretary, Ivan Penev, and a family friend, Ventsislav Draganov along with Mihail Metodiev and Rosen Stefanov, who allegedly misled employees of the Social Ministry by preparing false protocols for non-existent construction works at the social home.

Maslarova told the media on Tuesday that she was innocent and that the trial against her is politically-motivated.

"I am absolutely innocent. For me, this is a political trial," Maslarova said.

On a question what could a person do with BGN 11 M, the former minister said she did not know because she never had so much money.

"I have worked absolutely honestly and correctly, with the awareness that we have to help not one, two or ten, but many people. If you look back, you will see what was done in the social sphere," she said.

The court postponed the launching of the trial for April 21 because one of the defendants had not received a copy of the indictment.

Maslarova has given up her immunity from prosecution so that she can be investigated her for large-scale embezzlement. 

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