Dokument #1084745
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Autor)
According to the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency
(BTA), the official news agency in Bulgaria, "informed sources say
there is a well-organised mafia in Bulgaria" (27 Feb. 1991). The
chief of the National Investigative Service stated in May 1992 that
"she believes organised economic crime poses a grave threat to
Bulgaria now" (BBC Summary 12 May 1992). Another report from the
Sunday Times states the following:
Countries such as Bulgaria have long been used by smugglers,
money-launderers, terrorists and gun-runners. Officials were
frequently bribed or took a share of profits, and now the
drug-smugglers are able to plug straight into this network (23
February 1992).
However, according to a BBC report, Zhan
Vienov, leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, "has officially
approached the Republic's Chief prosecutor's office insisting that
the competent organs publish the facts that are the basis of what
[Vienov] called propaganda claims that conspiracy, terror, and a
mafia exits in Bulgaria" (29 Feb. 1992).
Additional articles which note briefly that
Bulgaria is attempting to combat organized crime, but provide
little specific information, are available on request.
References
BBC Summmary of World Broadcasts. 12 May
1992. "Chief Investigator of Economic Crimes Claims Judiciary
Disorganised on Purpose." (NEXIS)
_____. 29 February 1992. "Press Reports
of Conspiracy by Former Communists to Overthrow Government Denied."
(NEXIS)
Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA). 24
February 1992. "Increased Crime Rate, National 'Mafia' Reported."
(FBIS-EEU-91-037 25 Feb. 1992, p. 20)
Sunday Times [London]. 23
February 1992. "Drug Plague Sweeps Out from Lawless East."
(NEXIS)
BBC Summmary of World Broadcasts. 12 May
1992. "Chief Investigator of Economic Crimes Claims Judiciary
Disorganised on Purpose." (NEXIS)
_____. 29 February 1992. "Press Reports
of Conspiracy by Former Communists to Overthrow Government Denied."
(NEXIS)
Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA). 24
February 1992. "Increased Crime Rate, National 'Mafia' Reported."
(FBIS-EEU-91-037 25 Feb. 1992, p. 20)
Sunday Times [London]. 23
February 1992. "Drug Plague Sweeps Out from Lawless East."
(NEXIS)