Bulgaria’s Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev has presented a comprehensive report to Parliament concerning ongoing investigations into individuals sanctioned under the US Global Magnitsky Act, notably targeting politician Delyan Peevski. This move comes in response to lawmakers’ demands for insight into the progress of these inquiries. The report comprises detailed information, including flight reservations and travel records from 2023 through June 2026, for those under scrutiny. While this data is part of the ongoing investigations, the Interior Ministry has emphasized that it does not influence any future law enforcement actions.
The focus of these investigations is on whether the sanctioned individuals have managed to circumvent international sanctions by utilizing associates, businesses, or other strategies to retain control over their financial assets and business operations. In a bid to bolster these efforts, Bulgarian authorities are collaborating with the US Treasury Department to explore possible sanctions evasion tactics.
Controversy has escalated with allegations surrounding Peevski’s use of private jets, raising questions about the financing behind more than 180 private flights. Investigators are probing potential connections between these flights and business dealings, particularly in relation to assets linked to the Corpbank case, which has been a focal point of financial scrutiny.
In parallel, Bulgaria’s Prosecutor’s Office has initiated inspections following complaints about the alleged misuse of passenger reservation (PNR) data. The outcome of these inspections will determine whether there is sufficient basis to launch a formal criminal investigation.