By order of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, the General Directorate of "National Police," specifically the "Counteracting Crimes Affecting EU Financial Interests" sector, is investigating the implementation of the contract under which the management plan for "Bulgarka" Park was developed, with a total budget of 2.6 million BGN.
The investigation was initiated following an April 2024 report of potential misuse of EU funds provided through the "Environment Operational Programme" (OPE).
The management plan for "Bulgarka" Park was created by the "Bulgarka 2013" consortium. The team leader was Toma Belev, former Deputy Minister of Environment and Water and current leader of the "Green Movement" party. The consortium members include:
- WWF Bulgaria, managed by Belev's wife, Veselina Kavrakova.
- Marseilla EOOD, a company 100% owned by WWF Bulgaria.
- Sterna Consult EOOD, owned by Valentina Fidanova, a political activist who ran alongside Belev on the "Democratic Bulgaria" party list in Plovdiv in 2001. "Sterna Consult" is noted for winning numerous contracts in the biodiversity sector, participating in various associations and consortia involved in high-value environmental protection projects.
Key Investigation Points:
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Contract Award Process:
The investigation scrutinizes how the "Bulgarka" Park Directorate, specifically its former director, Maya Radeva, awarded the contract to "Bulgarka 2013." It seeks to uncover any irregularities in the awarding process, potential connections between Radeva and Belev, and whether a conflict of interest influenced the decision. -
Supreme Administrative Court Ruling:
The Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) ruled on April 1, 2024, that the management plan for "Bulgarka" Park was unlawful, citing procedural violations and substandard quality. Despite this ruling, the payment was made to Belev's team. -
Plan Non-Existence:
The SAC ruling means the management plan is void and non-existent, resulting in a loss of funds from both EU and Bulgarian taxpayers. -
Conflict of Interest Allegations:
Both Radeva and Belev are members of the private association "Association of Parks in Bulgaria." The investigation explores whether this connection influenced Radeva's decision to award the contract to "Bulgarka 2013." Further scrutiny arises from Radeva’s appointment as director of the Regional Environmental Inspectorate in Veliko Tarnovo just one month after Belev became Deputy Minister of Environment in February 2022. -
Suspicious Approval Process:
Despite its flaws, the plan was quickly approved by the Council of Ministers on the proposal of Environment Minister Borislav Sandov, a green activist, only seven days after Belev's appointment. This approval bypassed mandatory legal procedures, including a decision from the High Expert Environmental Council (HEEC) and an obligatory environmental assessment.
Unresolved Questions:
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Accountability for EU Funds:
Who will repay the EU funds since the plan does not exist? Will the "Bulgarka 2013" consortium be held responsible for returning the funds? -
Liability for Violations:
Who is accountable for approving the unlawful plan, and will any individuals or entities face repercussions?
The investigation aims to determine whether there will be consequences for those involved or if such misuse of EU funds will continue, as critics claim has occurred in the past.
