Newsletters
Bulgaria on Friday recalled its ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ivan Yordanov, over alleged links to a corruption scheme involving millions of dollars in private jet flights used by U.S.-sanctioned lawmaker Delyan Peevski.
The decision followed Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s call for Yordanov to return, with Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova also ordering him back to Sofia and directing an inspection of the Bulgarian Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
The ministry did not initially disclose details of the allegations, but the recall came after Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev presented findings from an investigation into alleged financial links between Peevski’s private flights and companies that secured state contracts.
Radev’s government has opened a probe into Peevski, who is accused by critics of wielding influence over the media, judiciary and security services. Investigators found that a shell company was used to pay for more than $5 million worth of private jet flights taken by Peevski, Demerdzhiev said Friday.
According to Demerdzhiev, the company is owned by Yordanov’s father and received funds from 4 firms that won state contracts to supply and install road guardrails. Bulgarian authorities have presented the alleged payments as part of a broader scheme involving public procurement.
The contracts were worth more than €400 million ($459.4 million) and were later increased by more than €150 million, according to the findings presented by the government.
The investigation also covered 36 private flights linked to Peevski, Bulgarian authorities said. Officials put their combined cost at more than €5 million, while reports have cited different currency conversions for the same alleged payments.
Yordanov has rejected the allegations, denying any connection to Peevski’s flights and saying his father’s company had never taken part in public tenders for road guardrails.
Peevski, who has been sanctioned by the United States and the United Kingdom over corruption, also denied the claims. Speaking to reporters in parliament, he called the allegations false and maintained that "my family and I paid for my flights."
The allegations involving Yordanov stem from his father’s ownership of the company that authorities say received funds from 4 firms awarded state contracts for road guardrails. The available source does not allege that Yordanov personally paid for or arranged Peevski’s flights.
Radev became prime minister after his Progressive Bulgaria party won parliamentary elections in April on promises to fight corruption.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
