The Deputy Mayor of Sofia with the portfolio of “European Policies, International Activities and Tourism“ Nikola Barbutov has resigned, bTV learned from its own sources.
In his resignation letter, Barbutov stated that his resignation aims not to block the work of the administration and emphasizes:
“I am aware that at the moment there are numerous projects, upcoming public procurements and other activities in Sofia Municipality… and whose implementation will always be questioned and will be the subject of unscrupulous speculation due to what happened this week.“
Barbutov is categorical that he was unjustly maligned:
I am convinced that sooner or later these doubts will be refuted and it will become clear that my good name was completely unjustly maligned.“
Yesterday, Barbutov was taken for questioning and detained during an operation by the Anti-Corruption Commission in Sofia Municipality. Three more people associated with commercial companies were detained.
This came to pass after the district mayors of „Mladost“ and „Lyulin“ and two municipal councilors left „We continue the change“ with accusations that they are being pressured to manipulate public procurement and divert funds to the party treasury.
Skopje Mayor Vasil Terziev stood behind his deputy, but ordered an internal audit of public procurement in the area for which Barbutov was responsible.