February 2 (BTA) - The Ministry of Interior is investigating experts from the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC), Interior Minister Boyko Rashkov told reporters after a meeting of the Council of Ministers. He was asked by reporters about the progress of an investigation into Bulgargaz for possible speculative sales.

Rashkov said that Bulgargaz is a state-owned company, which through its actions and decisions has contributed to the current situation regarding gas prices and the negative impact on businesses and the average consumer. The Interior Minister noted that the EWRC's ''behavior is not accidental''.

Rashkov explained that an active investigation of the facts has been initiated to clarify whether the international situation is to blame or rather the actions of certain persons the country.

Investigators are obtaining documents to be included in in evidence for pre-trial proceedings, added Minister Rashkov.

"For the time being, I can tell you with a high degree of confidence that there is one person who will be charged, but this is an issue that will be decided by the investigative team," Rashkov said. In response to a journalist's question whether this person is the former executive director of Bulgargaz Nikolay Pavlov, Minister Rashkov said: "You are getting closer to the truth". "Whether enough evidence will be gathered to prosecute other officials is a matter of investigation and it is too early to predict, he added.

An inspection has also started on the site of the Chaira Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant. ''It was built 30-40 years ago with the purpose to absorb the peak hours of the day so as to balance the energy system in the country and which for years now has been slowly but surely destroyed, probably in view of the interests of economic entities in our country,'' said Minister Rashkov.

''We have an idea about who this entity is, in whose favour this energy source has been damaged,'' he added.

Rashkov noted that, instead of repairing part or the entire facility, "garage" companies have been used to repair something that is beyond their means. ''For this reason, we have suffered enormous material damage,'' added Minister Rashkov. LN/DT

Source: Sofia