site.btaDemocratic Bulgaria Reports Valentin Zlatev to Security Agency, Prosecutors over Alleged Breach of Russia Sanctions

Democratic Bulgaria MP Ivaylo Mirchev told journalists in Parliament on Wednesday that his party has submitted a report to the State Agency for National Security (SANS) and the prosecution service concerning an alleged breach of sanctions imposed on Russia by Bulgarian businessman Valentin Zlatev through the purchase of real estate in Sofia owned by the Russian Federation and a Russian company.

"We want both SANS and the prosecution service to establish all facts and circumstances and determine whether such a violation has occurred," he said.

Mirchev added that "the transaction they have been trying to complete for quite some time was notarized by a notary linked to Anton Slavchev, the right-hand man of [Movement for Rights and Freedoms leader] Delyan Peevski".

"The deal itself took place shortly after the head of the Registry Agency was replaced, which, according to our information, was not a coincidence," Mirchev said.

One of the properties is located at 20 Shipka Street, while media reports indicate that there are two additional properties in different parts of Sofia owned by the Russian Federation, he added.

Commenting on the dismissal of Lukoil special commercial administrator Rumen Spetsov, Mirchev said that the Prime Minister most likely had reasons for taking such a decision.