Ex Bulgarian Energy Minister Escapes Prosecution

Bulgaria's former Energy Minister, Rumen Ovcharov, will not be probed by the Sofia City Appellate Prosecutor's Office over the annexes to the gas contracts signed with Russia in 2006.

The information was reported Thursday by the prosecutors in the case, saying there is no evidence of a crime and the claim is prescribed because the Amnesty Act postulated that no one can be prosecuted for premeditated mismanagement executed before July 1, 2008.

The prosecutors further point out the economic feasibility and profitability of the annexes can be debated, but nevertheless they do not bear any evidence of criminal activity such as consciously concluding an unprofitable deal inflicting serious damages for the country and benefiting particular individuals, including Ovacharov himself.

The document explains fuel prices are very dynamic and negotiations in the energy sector cannot lead to criminal charges.

The complaint against the former Minister and now Member of the Parliament from the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) was filed by the MP from the People's Party, Maria Kapon, and her Deputy, Eleonora Nikolova. They insist the annexes, which changed the price of Russian gas for Bulgaria, deprived the State by BGN 2 B, adding there is lack of will to apply the law.