皇冠体育app

• the UK and US are taking coordinated action to root out corruption in Bulgaria
• transparency International ranks Bulgaria as one of the countries most harmed by corruption in Europe

A former member of parliament, an ex-national security official and Bulgaria鈥檚 richest man have been sanctioned by the UK and for abusing their positions of power by redirecting state funds for their own benefit. 皇冠体育app 3 prominent Bulgarians have today (Friday 10 February) been handed travel bans and asset freezes under the UK鈥檚 Global Anti-Corruption sanctions regime.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

Those sanctioned have deprived the people of Bulgaria of resources crucial to its economic and social development. Money that should have been used to fix roads, build hospitals and support economic growth has instead ended up in the pockets of corrupt individuals.

皇冠体育app UK is acting in close coordination with the US to support Bulgaria in its efforts to tackle corruption and strengthen the rule of law by sanctioning these corrupt figures.

皇冠体育app sanctioned individuals are:

• Delyan Peevski: a former Member of Parliament and media mogul. Peevski has been involved in attempts to exert control over key institutions and sectors in Bulgarian society through bribery and use of his media empire

• Ilko Zhelyazkov: a former national security official and board member of Bulgaria鈥檚 largest state energy company, who used his position to redirect a lucrative state contract for his own gain

• Vasil Bozhkov: reportedly Bulgaria鈥檚 richest man, who made his fortune in the gambling industry. Bozhkov used bribery extensively to protect his business interests

皇冠体育app UK is combatting corruption around the world and will continue to use all levers at our disposal to tackle corrupt actors wherever we see them.

皇冠体育app UK government has sanctioned 35 individuals and entities, including the 3 today,聽under the Global Anti-Corruption regime since its introduction in April 2021.