ДПС

Breaking: "Renew Europe" Chair Proposes Expulsion of "DPS-NB" after Magnitsky Sanctions Beaux

The chair of the "Renew Europe" group in the European Parliament has proposed the expulsion of the "DPS-NB" faction, led by Delian Peevski, following his sanctions under the Magnitsky Act. The decision was unanimous and based on actions taken inside and outside the party, according to "Renew Europe".

The leadership of "Renew Europe" is set to discuss this decision today, December 23, at 6 PM. The group will hold a vote on January 14, 2023, to finalize the expulsion of the DPS faction. Valeri Hayer, chair of "Renew Europe", stated, "The supremacy of the law is the DNA of our group. The values of the DPS-Peevski faction are fundamentally incompatible with those of ‘Renew Europe’. Therefore, I will propose the immediate exclusion of the DPS-Peevski party from our group."

The Bureau of "Renew Europe" will meet tomorrow, Monday, December 23, at 6 PM to further discuss the matter. The group is part of the larger Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), having succeeded ALDE in the European Parliament. ALDE was a political group composed primarily of liberal, centrist, and democratic parties from various European countries.

Following the 2019 European Parliament elections, ALDE joined forces with other pro-European parties to form the new "Renew Europe" group. This new alliance, comprising liberal, centrist parties like France’s "La République En Marche!" and other pro-European, progressive forces from various nations, aims to strengthen the liberal platform and increase influence within the European Parliament.

In response to the news, Kiril Petkov, co-chair of BDZ – United, took to Facebook: "Goodbye, Mr. Peevski! Your expulsion opens the way for us to join ALDE, as they will also demonstrate that principles are not for sale. I feel deep pride that the liberal family showed principle and did not allow a person with Magnitsky sanctions and UK RICO charges to be part of us. Your isolation from the global system makes you just a marginal player on the world stage, a nobody in the free world."

Breaking News: DPS holds Extraordinary Conference; Top Figures Clash over Party Reforms

Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, is hosting the XII National Conference of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) today, convened unprecedentedly by the party’s leader, Delyan Peevski. The event is expected to bring pivotal changes to the party’s constitution, such as the removal of the honorary chair position previously held by Ahmed Dogan.

In light of these developments, MEP Ilhan Kyuchuk has taken to Facebook via DPS Presscenter to express his sentiments. He reflects on December 22, 1989, when Ahmed Dogan, fresh out of prison, co-founded the Committee for National Reconciliation at Sofia University. Kyuchuk laments that "35 years later, the parasitic power-hungry PeevskyAdapterName is not only hijacking the party but also the civil society, dismantling solidarity within DPS."

Kyuchuk asserts that Peevski is fragmenting the party’s structure with administrative and power plays, contradicting democratic principles. He stresses that Ahmed Dogan’s DPS was a symbol of resistance against division, evocatively quoting "No pasarán!"

The conference unfolds amidst a recent court decision from Friday, in which the Sofia City Court refused to register changes to DPS’s leadership, including the exclusion of key figures like Delyan Peevski and his loyalists.

In response to the event, DPS co-chair Джевдет Чакъров (Jevdet Chakarov) has released a statement, denouncing the conference’s legitimacy. He sees Peevski’s actions as another attempted coup, not just on DPS, but on Bulgaria’s entire political system. Chakarov, who was ousted from the party along with the other authentic DPS leadership, lambasts the event for its lack of international representation, with no delegates from EU countries, NATO, ALDE, Renew Europe, Liberal International, or LIBSEN.

Chakarov emphasizes that the removal of honorary chair Ahmed Dogan from the charter signifies the eradication of DPS’s fundamental values and strategic objectives. He calls on authentic DPS members to continue pursuing their cause of protecting rights, freedoms, democracy, and national sovereignty. He reiterates their commitment to liberal values and Euro-Atlantic orientation.

Borislav Sarrafov, the acting prosecutor general and current candidate for the post, has a son who, at the age of 29, is already a successful businessman building luxurious properties and receiving high salaries. His company has even taken out a multi-million lev loan to develop its business. However, the source of this prosperity has raised questions about potential corrupt activities, as the firms paying the young Sarrafov are linked to GERB and DPS parties. Two investigative firms, “Union Ivkoni” and “Elidis”, are paying Borislav Sarrafov’s son and his ex-wife tens of thousands of levs each month, totaling over a million levs in the last three years. Additionally, Borislav Sarrafov’s son has received a 4 million lev loan to build a luxurious building in Sofia.

The civic movement “BOETC” brought attention to the case and revealed that Union Ivkoni received over 17 million levs from the state to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic during Borysov’s last government (2017-2021). The connection between Borislav Sarrafov’s promotion to acting prosecutor general and the government’s decision to allocate these funds has raised concerns.

Special prosecutor Daniela Taleva conducted an investigation into Borislav Sarrafov’s son’s properties in 2021/22 but refused to initiate a preliminary investigation due to the high salaries paid by “Union Ivkoni” and “Elidis”. Taleva did not find evidence that Borislav Sarrafov had abused his authority to help his son and ex-wife’s real estate transactions. However, the state prosecutor’s office has not provided any public information or comments on the case.

Critics argue that Borislav Sarrafov’s potential influence by Boyko Borisov and Detelin Peveski, as alleged with his predecessors Ivan Geshev and Sotir Tsatsarov, raises concerns about his suitability for the role of prosecutor general. The lack of transparency regarding Borislav Sarrafov’s son’s wealth and the source of his high salaries have fueled suspicions of corruption.

The Enigma of Silence: The Prosecutor’s Secret on the Wealth of Sarrafov’s Associates

Title: The Puzzle of Silence: The Prosecutor’s Secret on the Wealth of Sarrafov’s Associates

Introduction

In the complex tapestry of Bulgarian politics and business, the name Sarrafov has long been a subject of intrigue and speculation. While the former MP and businessman, Ahmed Dogan Sarrafov, has maintained a relatively low profile in recent years, the wealth amassed by those in his inner circle has raised eyebrows and sparked questions that remain unanswered. This article delves into the enigma of silence surrounding the high incomes of Sarrafov’s associates and the prosecutor’s office’s apparent reluctance to shed light on the matter.

The Wealth of Sarrafov’s Associates

Sarrafov’s associates, many of whom are prominent figures in Bulgarian politics and business, have been reported to have amassed considerable wealth. According to public records, some have declared incomes that far exceed the average Bulgarian salary, with a few even surpassing the earnings of the country’s top politicians. However, the sources of these incomes remain shrouded in mystery, with many of the associates refusing to comment or provide detailed explanations.

The Prosecutor’s Office: A Wall of Silence

Despite the public’s interest and the potential implications for transparency and accountability in Bulgarian politics, the prosecutor’s office has maintained a wall of silence on the matter. When approached for comment, prosecutors have either declined to discuss the issue or have cited ongoing investigations as the reason for their silence. This stance has left many wondering why such high-profile cases seem to be moving at a snail’s pace, if at all.

Legal Hurdles and Political Pressure

Legal experts have suggested that the prosecutor’s office may be facing significant hurdles in investigating the wealth of Sarrafov’s associates. These challenges could range from complex financial structures designed to obfuscate the origin of wealth to political pressure that could hinder a thorough investigation.

Moreover, some have speculated that the prosecutor’s office may be exercising caution due to the potential political fallout from such an investigation. Sarrafov’s associates are known to have substantial political influence, and a high-profile investigation could potentially destabilize the delicate balance of power in Bulgarian politics.

The Public’s Right to Know

Regardless of the legal and political complexities involved, the public has a right to know how public figures amass their wealth, especially when those figures are suspected of having close ties to prominent politicians. Transparency and accountability are cornerstones of a healthy democracy, and the silence surrounding the wealth of Sarrafov’s associates undermines these principles.

Conclusion

The enigma of silence surrounding the wealth of Sarrafov’s associates is a puzzle that the Bulgarian public deserves to have solved. While the prosecutor’s office may be facing significant challenges in its investigation, the public’s right to know should not be sacrificed in the process. It is high time that the relevant authorities shed light on this matter, ensuring that the principles of transparency and accountability are upheld, and the Bulgarian public is not left in the dark about the wealth of those who wield significant political influence. After all, sunlight is the best disinfectant, and it is only through transparency that the Bulgarian public can make informed judgments about the integrity and legitimacy of its political and business elite.