Controversial businessman Michael Chorny is under the control and protection of Russia's special services, Alexander Litvinenko, former officer of Russia's intelligence services told Bulgarian bTV channel.

Litvinenko said that in his opinion Chorny's activities are being concealed by the Russian special services. A lot of information and documents on Chorny has been gathered but all employees that had access to it were dismissed or were given the advice to stop digging into the problem, Litvinenko claimed.

The former Russian intelligence officer also claimed that Chorny bought Bulgarian football club Levski to use it for his illegal deeds. Also on Thursday former Bulgarian National Security Service chief Atanas Atanassov announced that there has been an investigation into the financial sources of the leading football club.

Chorny's name has been in the center of public interest in Bulgaria over the last few months as it was linked to the "dirty money scandal" that erupted recently.

Public attention was drawn to the case for the donation of USD 200,000 given to Democracy foundation run by Bulgaria's former prime minister and ex-leader of rightist Union of Democratic Forces Ivan Kostov. Police had to disclose if there was an attempt for money laundry when the donation was made.

The "dirty cash scandal" erupted after Bulgarian media claimed that the money were a "bribe" from controversial businessman Michael Chorny to Kostov. Chorny confirmed that information but Kostov categorically denied those allegations.

It was later proved that the controversial businessman owned the company indeed.

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