Bulgaria’s Interior Minister, Ivan Demerdzhiev, has presented a comprehensive report to Parliament concerning ongoing probes into individuals sanctioned under the US Global Magnitsky Act. Among those under scrutiny is politician Delyan Peevski. This report emerges as lawmakers have been pressing for transparency and access to information regarding these investigations.
The Interior Ministry’s report encompasses extensive data, including flight reservations and travel records spanning from 2023 to June 2026 for those currently under investigation. Officials have emphasized that this information is part of ongoing inquiries and does not preempt future actions by law enforcement. The core of the investigation is to determine whether these sanctioned individuals have exploited associates or businesses to circumvent international sanctions while retaining control over their financial assets and business operations.
In a collaborative effort, Bulgarian authorities are working alongside the US Treasury Department to explore potential instances of sanctions evasion. This issue has gained heightened attention following allegations about Peevski’s private jet usage and queries regarding the financial backing of over 180 private flights. Investigators are also probing possible connections between these flights and business transactions linked to the Corpbank case.
Simultaneously, Bulgaria’s Prosecutor’s Office has initiated inspections into alleged abuses of passenger reservation (PNR) data, prompted by several complaints. These inspections aim to ascertain whether the misuse of such data warrants a formal criminal investigation.