The Court of Appeal in Sofia has finally confirmed the decision to initiate the case against the brothers Atanas and Plamen Bobokov for importing and processing hazardous waste. The court rejected the requests to terminate the trial, finding no significant procedural violations, the institution's press center announced.
Four more people will sit in the dock along with the Bobokov brothers. Among them is the former Deputy Minister of the Environment Krasimir Zhivkov, as well as Irena Hristova, Vasil Kotsev and Nikolay Mihovski. All are accused of creating an organized crime group for the illegal import and processing of hazardous waste.
The case will involve the hearing of over 200 witnesses and 28 experts, making it one of the most extensive court proceedings in Bulgaria in recent years. The defendants were arrested on May 28, 2020, by the Specialized Prosecutor's Office under Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev.
The indictment was initially filed with the Specialized Criminal Court, but due to the closure of this institution, the case was transferred to the Sofia City Court. This explains the five-year delay in the trial, which will finally begin on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m.
According to the investigating authorities, the Bobokov brothers created a complex scheme to circumvent environmental legislation. Through a network of fictitious companies, they buried thousands of tons of hazardous waste from the processing of rechargeable batteries in Bulgarian soil.
The waste was imported mainly from Romania and Italy, where the brothers own battery production plants. Instead of paying millions of euros for its proper disposal, the defendants stored it in illegal landfills in Pleven, Shumen, Kremikovtsi and the village of Ruptsi.
In addition to environmental crimes, the defendants will also be held responsible for tax violations and crimes of office. Krasimir Zhivkov, who at the time of the crimes was a deputy minister, is accused of abuse of office.
According to the prosecutor's office, the organized crime group operated for about five years, creating serious risks to human health and the environment. If found guilty, the defendants could receive sentences of up to 20 years in prison.