The Minister of Justice Georgi Georgiev announced the outcome of a case related to an attempt to illegally seize nearly 5 million leva from a Bulgarian-French multinational company that has been investing in our country for more than a decade and is building a plant in Pleven for over 60 million euros. The company employs over 90 people.
„In June, the company notified us of possible violations and crimes that could lead to the illegal seizure of funds. Our actions - of the government, institutions and the judicial system - ultimately led to the prevention of particularly large-scale damage to the company,” said Minister Georgiev.
According to him, the scheme was extremely complex. On June 5, the company found itself with 5 million leva blocked due to an order for immediate execution for an obligation it claims to be unaware of, and for a contract that, according to them, was never signed.
The case reached the Kozloduy District Court, where, after the recusal of two judges, a third magistrate issued an order for immediate execution. Subsequently, after violations by a private bailiff, the amount was seized.
As a result of the inspections ordered by the Ministry of Justice, violations by officials were found. “I propose to the Chamber of Notaries one of the most severe penalties – "deprivation of the legal capacity for a period of three years of the assistant notary in Sofia," Georgiev emphasized.
The minister specified that the decision on the specific sanction will be made by the Notary Chamber, but insisted that the state's actions prevented serious damage to the foreign investor.
“Ultimately, the amount of 5 million leva was released, and the company can safely continue its activities in Bulgaria,” concluded Georgiev.