site.btaEUR 200,000 Seized in Vote-Buying Probe in Varna, Four Arrested

Nearly EUR 200,000 intended for vote buying was discovered during searches at four addresses in Varna, along with envelopes containing lists of citizens' personal data, the Interior Ministry's acting Secretary General Georgi Kandev said on Facebook.

He said the case involves an organized group and a large-scale network engaged in vote buying for the April 19 parliamentary elections. A municipal councillor from Provadia is also implicated.

Four people have been arrested and pre-trial proceedings have been launched under the supervision of the Varna Prosecution Office. The investigation began earlier in April.

On Thursday, 152 persons were questioned who are believed to have received money from the group in exchange for voting for a specific party. Also that day, 137 statements were drawn up against persons for alleged involvement in electoral offences, Kandev said.