European Prosecutor's Office investigates Bulgartransgaz

The European Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating the offices of Bulgartransgaz in Sofia. Police have secured access to the headquarters of the gas operator. There is no official information from Bulgartransgaz and Brussels about the inspection, but the European Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating projects with EU funding.

According to the interior ministry, the investigation is linked to the Turkish gas company Botas. The European Commission has been investigating Botas for weeks.

In early August, Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov raised the issue of the renegotiation of the agreement between Bulgargaz and Botas with his Turkish counterpart, Alparslan Bayraktar. The Turkish company rejected the request to review the 13-year contract.

On 15 August, representatives of Botash are expected to visit Bulgaria for a meeting with Bulgargaz, BGNES recalls.