Four Government Services Investigate Pernik Water Crisis and Waste Disposal Scandal, Environment Minister Questioned in Probe
NW 15:34:01 09-01-2020
LN1531NW.109
109 POLITICS - PERNIK WATER CRISIS - PROSECUTOR GENERAL
Four Government Services
Investigate Pernik Water Crisis and Waste Disposal Scandal,
Environment Minister Questioned in Probe
Pernik/Sofia, January 9 (BTA) - It transpired Thursday that four government services have started probing a water shortage that has led to draconian water rationing in the western town of Pernik, as well as a scandal over the storage and disposal of huge amount of imported waste across the country. Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev told a news briefing in Pernik that action is being taken to investigate any criminal wrongdoing in these matters.
The Pernik water crisis probe is under the supervision of the Specialized Prosecution Office, and is being handled jointly by the anti-corruption commission, the State Agency for National Security (SANS) and the Interior Ministry. In addition to investigative actions, questioning of witnesses, and searches in Pernik, the Specialized Prosecutor's Office is also conducting searches at the Ministry of Environment and Waters building, as well as at the offices of the Pernik regional government and the local water company, the Prosecutor General said.
He added that SANS and the Interior Ministry are conducting a probe at the Environment Ministry concerning permits it has issued for waste import, mainly from Italy. Geshev added that more than 30 people are to be questioned, including Environmental Minister Neno Dimov.
TV reports already showed Dimov taken for questioning at the National Investigative Office.
For the first time on Thursday, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov hinted at Dimov's possible replacement. Emerging from a meeting of an advisory council on national security with the President, he said that he is going to discuss the Environment Minister's resignation with GERB's coalition partners.
Geshev said at the news briefing that the Prosecution Office is aware that the lack of water is a serious problem for the citizens of Pernik. "We cannot solve the problem, we cannot turn on the water, but we can commit ourselves to seeking criminal liability for any culpable officials," said he.
Geshev, together with anti-corruption commission chair Sotir Tsatsarov, had a meeting with Pernik Mayor Stanislav Vladimirov and informed him that pre-trial proceedings have been initiated and significant results are to be expected.
Media reports said that former Pernik Regional Governor Irena Sokolova and the former CEO of the local water company were arrested earlier on Thursday. The competent services have declined to confirm the reports. RI/DT
//
LN1531NW.109
109 POLITICS - PERNIK WATER CRISIS - PROSECUTOR GENERAL
Four Government Services
Investigate Pernik Water Crisis and Waste Disposal Scandal,
Environment Minister Questioned in Probe
Pernik/Sofia, January 9 (BTA) - It transpired Thursday that four government services have started probing a water shortage that has led to draconian water rationing in the western town of Pernik, as well as a scandal over the storage and disposal of huge amount of imported waste across the country. Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev told a news briefing in Pernik that action is being taken to investigate any criminal wrongdoing in these matters.
The Pernik water crisis probe is under the supervision of the Specialized Prosecution Office, and is being handled jointly by the anti-corruption commission, the State Agency for National Security (SANS) and the Interior Ministry. In addition to investigative actions, questioning of witnesses, and searches in Pernik, the Specialized Prosecutor's Office is also conducting searches at the Ministry of Environment and Waters building, as well as at the offices of the Pernik regional government and the local water company, the Prosecutor General said.
He added that SANS and the Interior Ministry are conducting a probe at the Environment Ministry concerning permits it has issued for waste import, mainly from Italy. Geshev added that more than 30 people are to be questioned, including Environmental Minister Neno Dimov.
TV reports already showed Dimov taken for questioning at the National Investigative Office.
For the first time on Thursday, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov hinted at Dimov's possible replacement. Emerging from a meeting of an advisory council on national security with the President, he said that he is going to discuss the Environment Minister's resignation with GERB's coalition partners.
Geshev said at the news briefing that the Prosecution Office is aware that the lack of water is a serious problem for the citizens of Pernik. "We cannot solve the problem, we cannot turn on the water, but we can commit ourselves to seeking criminal liability for any culpable officials," said he.
Geshev, together with anti-corruption commission chair Sotir Tsatsarov, had a meeting with Pernik Mayor Stanislav Vladimirov and informed him that pre-trial proceedings have been initiated and significant results are to be expected.
Media reports said that former Pernik Regional Governor Irena Sokolova and the former CEO of the local water company were arrested earlier on Thursday. The competent services have declined to confirm the reports. RI/DT
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