Bulgaria with New Attempt to Introduce Illegal Assets Seizure

Bulgaria's ruling centrist-right GERB will try once again to pass a bill on the confiscation of unexplained wealth, the country's Justice Minister Diana Kovacheva has announced.

The majority in Bulgaria's parliament surprisingly failed to pass through the keenly expected bill in July 2011, triggering fierce criticism in the EU and US, as well as suspicions of a set-up.

The Council of Europe's Venice Commission approved the final, fifth version of the draft law in the middle of last year and recommended that it enters into force in 2012.

Citizens who own assets worth more than BGN 250 000 could be investigated if the new piece of legislation is passed by the Bulgarian Parliament, it was made clear on Tuesday. The illegal property could be then seized by a civil court once an indictment is in place.

Minister Diana Kovacheva has announced that the bill will be proposed by the end of January and that its main points will not be altered.

Kovacheva pointed out that the bill will only affect organized crime groups and not the "ordinary people."

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