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Bulgaria's former PM Borissov detained in EU aid probe
“There is no one above the law,” said current Prime Minister Kiril Petkov.
Sofia: The former Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Boyko Borissov has been detained as part of a police investigation linked to probes by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the Interior Ministry, former Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov, former chair of the parliamentary budgetary commission Menda Stoyanova and Borissov’s media adviser Sevdalina Arnaudova were also detained.
The ministry stated, “A large-scale operation is underway in connection with 120 cases of the European Prosecutor’s Office in Bulgaria. Searches and seizures are carried out at many addresses”.
The statement further added, “Boyko Borisov, Vladislav Goranov, Menda Stoyanova and Sevdalina Arnaudova are currently detained”.
The ministry did not provide details, but public BNT television said the cases concerned "misuse of EU aid."
“There is no one above the law,” current Prime Minister Kiril Petkov wrote on his Facebook page Thursday.
In the meantime, Borissov’s lawyer Menko Menkov told reporters the former prime minister “has not been charged for the time being. The police have carried out a search at his home.
He has been taken to the headquarters of the national police where he most likely will be detained for 24 hours, said attorney.
Borisov has been accused of corruption several times over the years but has denied any wrongdoing.
The 62-year-old is currently the leader of opposition center-right GERB party and dominated Bulgaria’s politics for more than a decade.
He was forced out of power in April last year amid a rule-of-law crisis.