site.btaRomanian Driver Held for Up to 72 Hours after Allegedly Offering Bribe to Police Officers in Chepelare

The Smolyan District Prosecution Office has ordered the detention for up to 72 hours of a Romanian driver who allegedly offered a bribe to police officers during a roadside check in Chepelare, District Prosecutor Nedko Simov told BTA on Wednesday.

Pre-trial proceedings have been initiated on suspicion of offering a bribe to a police officer. After the 72-hour detention expires, the prosecution will ask the Smolyan District Court to order the defendant's remand in custody.

The 52-year-old Romanian national was initially detained by the police for up to 24 hours. According to the Smolyan Regional Directorate of the Interior Ministry, he was stopped shortly after noon on Tuesday during a specialized police operation targeting freight traffic and road safety.

A breathalyser test showed a blood alcohol concentration equivalent of 1.31 per mille. After being informed of the result, the driver allegedly threw a EUR 50 banknote into the police vehicle in an attempt to avoid the consequences of the offence.

Two fast-track criminal proceedings have been initiated against the man – one for driving under the influence of alcohol and another for offering a bribe to a police officer. According to the police, he has no previous convictions.

The Romanian-registered truck was travelling from Plovdiv to Smolyan, where it was due to load cargo. The vehicle remains in Chepelare.

The investigation is ongoing.