A specialized police operation is underway in settlements in Montana district, aimed at preventing crimes against electoral legislation and ensuring the fairness of the upcoming vote, the Ministry of Interior announced.
The objects of control were 27 people with criminal activities and 26 objects – private addresses, pawnshops, quick loan companies and commercial establishments, which have financial resources to illegally influence the vote of citizens. Checks were carried out on persons who have established themselves as local leaders of groups influencing the election process. The police presence was increased in high-risk settlements and areas, as well as in areas around educational institutions, kindergartens and park areas.
During the operation, 10 pre-trial proceedings were initiated - 7 under Art. 167, para. 2 of the Criminal Code / vote buying /, 2 under Art. 354a, para. 3 of the Criminal Code / possession of narcotics / and one under Art. 339, para. 1 of the Criminal Code / possession of illegal weapons /. Illegal storage of firewood was discovered.
With a police warrant, 3 residents of the regional town were detained within 24 hours - two on suspicion of vote buying and one - as the author of 6 thefts.
During a police check in the town of Brusartsi, an illegally owned rifle and ammunition were seized. From 4 commercial premises in the town of Lom and the village of Rasovo, Lom municipality, 4 notebooks and 2 notebooks were seized, containing lists of names of people and amounts indicated against them. Placed in one of the notebooks was found the amount of 120 euros in banknotes of different denominations. In the same premises, a wallet was also found and seized with the amount of 1,905 euros in banknotes of different denominations.
At the checkpoints established at key locations in the district, checks were carried out on 204 motor vehicles and 264 people. 17 acts and 24 tickets under the Road Traffic Act were drawn up. 13 tickets for speeding were handed out. 14 warning protocols have been drawn up under the Ministry of Interior Law.
The action was attended by officers from the Criminal, Economic, Security Police, experts from the scientific and technical laboratory, investigating police officers and teams from the Zonal Gendarmerie Department, the Regional Food Safety Directorate and the Consumer Protection Commission.
Active police actions aimed at counteracting vote buying will continue until the end of the election process.