When we talk about banks, we must be careful. The Bulgarian Development Bank (BDB) is a state-owned bank, and there are such banks throughout Europe and the USA. Over the years, there have been several controversial appointments in its management team. I have submitted information to parliament several times about what is happening around BDB. There have also been serious scandals - for example, about loans for nearly 150 million leva, related to a person nicknamed "Wolf", if I am not mistaken. This bank was created to finance business, and not to serve the interests of private individuals to carry out privatization schemes. He announced this to Lili Marinkova in the studio of "FACTS" and the show "Conversation" Prof. Rumen Gechev, lecturer at the UNWE and former MP from the BSP.
„I remember one specific case in 2020. At a meeting of the budget committee, when I was deputy chairman, I warned the new management of BDB not to try to buy shares of a private bank, because I had information and rumors about such a deal. BDB was silent – both to the media and to the MPs. Just a few days later, the deal was a fact – shares that cost between 1.5 and 1.6 leva were bought for 5 leva. As a result, the bank reported a loss of 86 million leva at the end of the year“, the guest shared.
„There have been such scandals around BDB and they have specific culprits who must bear responsibility, instead of blaming the entire institution. I cannot say good words about some of the management appointments. One of the executive directors – Mr. Mavrodiev - was wanted, left the country and is probably hiding in Dubai. He was associated with GERB, prepared their financial programs, and later was also chairman of the Financial Supervision Commission on the recommendation of Boyko Borisov. Later, Borisov released him after the scandals broke out. The question is - is there a Bulgarian government that has officially requested his extradition from the United Arab Emirates? Have there been talks? Are there any actions by the Ministry of Justice and the competent services? Because this person can give an answer to where the money went. Investigations are being conducted in Bulgaria, but there are still no real consequences, added Prof. Gechev.
See more of the conversation in the VIDEO.