Bulgarian 'Octopus' Blames Rulers for Abduction of Cocaine King's Daughter

Controversial Bulgarian businessman Aleksei Petrov has blamed Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov and Prime Minister Boyko Borisov for the abduction of drug kingpin Evelin Banev's 10-year-old daughter.

Petrov, who is tried on numerous counts for organized crime, has stated that Banev "knows too much" about Borisov and Tsvetanov and that it would become "very bad" for them if he starts speaking.

The State Agency for National Security had no information about Banev being involved in international drug trafficking in 2009, Petrov also told reporters. He used to be an employee of the agency back then.

Banev's 10-year-old daughter Lara was abducted by three masked gunmen early on Tuesday. No ransom demand has been made so far.

Aleksei Petrov is a defendant in a highly publicized trial codenamed Octopus. He is a former business partner and current arch enemy of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.

Last month, a series of documents emerged exposing Borisov's alleged mafia ties during the 90's.

• 1