Bulgarian Supreme Court Stops Construction of Radioactive Waste Depot

Bulgaria's Supreme Administrative Court (VAS) has stopped the construction of a national radioactive waste depot.

The complaint was filed by a natural person, Petar Penchev, member of the Public Council of the Association for Free Speech "Anna Politkovskaya."

In a Monday ruling, VAS revoked a decision of the Environment Minister from October 10, 2011 on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the project.

The EIA approves the implementation of the investment proposal for the construction of a national depot for burial of low and intermediate short-lived radioactive waste with the Sofia-based State Enterprise Radioactive Waste (SERAW) as contracting authority.

Under the ruling of VAS, the case returns to the Environment Minister for revision.

The decision can be appealed within 14 days before a five-judge panel of VAS, according to the media statement of the court.