Minister Karadjov on irregularities in the Automobile Administration

In the Ministry of Transport and Communications, there is categorically no place and will be no place for irregularities related to competitions, covering up corruption, or formal checks. This position was clearly stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov during today's parliamentary control. His answers were formulated in response to a question asked by MPs Stoyan Taslakov and Emil Yankov from the parliamentary group „Vazrazhdane“.

The interest expressed by the MPs was directed towards the topic of allegedly manipulated competitions within the Executive Agency „Road Traffic Administration“.

Minister Karadjov stressed that the issue under consideration raises one of the most important aspects - the citizens' trust in the honesty of state competitions and the integrity of the administration.

In the context of the specific case that provoked the question, the minister explained that in April, in the public space, more specifically on social media, publications and photos appeared. These materials contained claims that they presented pre-provided tests to candidates for inspectors in the Executive Agency „Road Traffic Administration“. The minister recalled that the agency had carried out an internal investigation into the case. This investigation, which ended in July, did not find any evidence of such practices of providing tests or answers. Karadjov pointed out that neither the signal that triggered the investigation nor the investigation itself went through him as minister.

Later, at the beginning of October, a new signal was received. This signal contained specific names, dates, and documents, and was signed by a person known as „Krasi the Spaniard“. In response to this signal, a full and independent investigation was undertaken, which went beyond the framework of the agency itself, Minister Karadjov pointed out. He added that only within 24 hours of receiving the signal, which was registered in the ministry on October 8, it was forwarded to the prosecutor's office with a letter bearing an outgoing number from October 9. In addition, by order of the minister on October 17, a separate, independent check through the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Transport and Communications was also ordered.

The minister clarified that the deadline for preparing the report is December 8, and the results will be publicly available and presented to the National Assembly. He added that at his insistence, all employees mentioned in the signal have been removed from participation in any competition and control activities until the end of the investigation.

Minister Karadjov explained that the „Road Traffic Administration“ is obliged to provide the prosecutor's office and the inspectorate with all original documents, copies of tests, protocols, and orders. "This is no longer an internal check of themselves, this is an inter-institutional process, involving the ministry, the inspectorate, and the prosecutor's office," he pointed out.

In addition, Grozdan Karadjov announced that today he is to sign an agreement with the non-governmental organization „Transparency Without Borders“. This organization will act as an external independent verifier and will have the right to check such signals.

The minister stressed that this case is not isolated. He stated that in recent months, the ministry has been pursuing a consistent policy to eradicate corruption practices in the Executive Agency „Road Traffic Administration“. "It is no coincidence that the attacks against the leadership and personally against me have become more frequent. I can safely say that the corrupt are shouting „hold the corrupt“," Minister Karadjov also said.