site.btaIllegal Construction and Deforestation Cases Remain Under Scrutiny in Varna Area

The Directorate for National Construction Control and the Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre Agency carried out an inspection at the Varna Municipality, Regional Development and Public Works Minister Ivan Shishkov said on Wednesday in Varna. The inspection is linked to illegal construction in the Baba Alino area near Varna, where suspected irregularities in construction documentation and certification procedures are being examined.

Shishkov pointed out that the inspection aimed to review documents related to the case, including suspected falsified certificates of tolerance, and to determine whether the issues are isolated or part of a broader pattern. He also stated that the responsibility for demolition decisions regarding any illegal construction lies with Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev, and that further administrative and legal steps will follow depending on the findings.

Separately, Varna municipal councillors from GERB raised allegations of large-scale deforestation involving KYB Corporation. They claim that a hectare of land was cleared of trees between early 2024 and 2025 without a formal order for tree removal or a required compensatory reforestation programme, as required under local environmental regulations. They further argue that construction may be legally permitted, but cannot be put into operation until replanting obligations are fulfilled, and announced they will submit reports to the relevant authorities for review.

Shishkov responded that the allegations concerning KYB Corporation should not be lumped together with the Baba Alino case, stressing that they involve separate procedures and circumstances. He also said that responsibility for the broader situation is shared across political actors, describing the period since 2023 as one of systemic negligence, and noted that accountability will be pursued where violations are confirmed.

He confirmed that the head of the Regional Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre office in Varna is set to be dismissed and referred to prosecutors over alleged illegal entries in cadastral records and the issuance of documents used in property transactions. He also pointed to possible negligence by the local water and sewerage utility in Varna, adding that investigations there are ongoing.

In addition, Shishkov said that probes continue into alleged irregular payments related to the Hemus Motorway project as well, with several cases being prepared for submission to law enforcement authorities.