“Democratic Bulgaria” refers property deal by Valentin Zlatev linked to Russia to the Prosecutor's Office

"Democratic Bulgaria" has referred the Prosecutor's Office and the SANS to data concerning the potential circumvention of European Union sanction regimes and the risk of money laundering in the acquisition of properties linked to the Russian Federation by "Valentin Zlatev". The coalition announced this, specifying that the report concerns specific real estate transactions.

The actions were prompted by investigative journalism and available documents, which raise questions about the origin and movement of funds in these transactions, the role of Bulgarian institutions, and the actual enforcement of European sanctions against Russia.

Questions to institutions regarding the implementation of sanctions

A request has been sent to the "Ministry of Justice" to order an inspection at the "Registry Agency". The goal is to determine whether the Agency is actually applying European Union restrictive measures during transactions and filings involving Russian citizens, legal entities, state structures, or property linked to the Russian Federation.

"Democratic Bulgaria" insists on clarifying whether there are gaps or inconsistencies in the oversight of such transactions and whether all possible actions have been taken to prevent the circumvention of sanctions.

Letter to the BNB regarding banking operations

In parallel, a set of questions has also been sent to the "Bulgarian National Bank". The coalition is seeking information on what specific measures are being taken and effectively applied to proactively identify banking operations that could be linked to the circumvention of sanction regimes.

A response has also been requested regarding what sanctions and restrictive measures should be imposed on a bank or other obligated entity if it is established that it has permitted, processed, or failed to prevent an operation linked to the circumvention of an EU sanction regime.

Report on the deal for the building on 20 "Shipka" St.

The report also points to a specific case – the acquisition by "Valentin Zlatev", former CEO of "Lukoil - Bulgaria", of the building on the capital's "Shipka" St. 20, owned by Russia. According to information cited by the investigative media outlet "Bird", the value of the deal is nearly 8.6 million euros.

According to "Democratic Bulgaria", this case raises questions about whether all requirements stemming from the EU's sanctions policy have been met, and whether Bulgarian authorities have conducted the necessary checks on the origin of the funds and the potential involvement of sanctioned individuals or structures.

DB: the question is whether European sanctions are being applied in reality

The coalition emphasizes that with these actions, they are raising a matter of principle – not only regarding specific transactions, but also regarding how Bulgaria implements European sanctions in the context of the war in Ukraine and the restrictive measures against Russian individuals and legal entities.

"Democratic Bulgaria" insists that the Prosecutor's Office, the SANS, the Ministry of Justice, the Registry Agency, and the BNB provide clear answers and, if necessary, take legal action if violations or attempts to circumvent sanction regimes are identified.