The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Sofia (Bulgaria) filed today (December 1, 2025) an indictment against the former mayor and former regional governor of Varna, as well as against two officials from the Executive Agency “Maritime Administration“, for fraud related to the reconstruction of a non-existent fishing port, bTV reported.
We are talking about former mayor from GERB Ivan Portnih, who is currently a municipal councilor in Varna, former regional governor Stoyan Pasev, also from GERB, as well as two employees of the Executive Agency “Maritime Administration“.
The four are accused of falsifying official documents documents and providing false information in order to illegally obtain 3.4 million euros of European and national funds for a project aimed at improving the infrastructure of an alleged fishing port on the outskirts of Varna, submitted by the Municipality of the city (beneficiary).
According to the investigation, however, no such port existed at the time of submitting the application for funding, the European Public Prosecutor's Office announced.
Based on the evidence, the plots of land included in the application as an existing port were in fact registered in the cadastral plan of Varna as rocks, sand and other types of buildings.
The investigation showed that the beneficiary had assembled several pontoons as floating piers with the sole purpose of registering the site as an existing port.
With the help of officials from the Executive Agency “Maritime Administration“ the plots were eventually registered as a port.
The expected damage to the EU budget is approximately €2.8 million (BGN 5,603,035.97), with additional expected damage to the national budget of €675,475 (BGN 1,321,115.78).
If found guilty, the former mayor and the former regional governor face sentences of two to eight years in prison.
The remaining defendants face sentences of up to five years in prison.
The court may also ban the defendants from holding certain state or public office.
The case was first reported to the European Public Prosecutor's Office by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) following suspicions of possible serious irregularities and fraud. OLAF also supported the investigation.
The General Directorate of the National Police (GDNP) - Sofia has conducted additional investigative actions. All persons involved are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the competent Bulgarian courts.
The European Public Prosecutor's Office is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing charges for crimes against the EU's financial interests.
A year ago, Portnich described the European Public Prosecutor's Office investigation as “absolute manipulation“ and “fake but deliberately made “news“.
“This is a huge lie. I protest against the publication of any information about anyone without hearing their point of view. Including from the notorious European Public Prosecutor's Office. Because if they had asked me before all these lies were circulated, I would have answered and explained what it was about“, added Portnih.
According to Portnih, a decision by the Varna District Court, voted unanimously, approved the decision to apply for the port program and the approval of the text of an agreement between the Varna Municipality, Varna University and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.