Vesselin Mareshki, founder of a large drug store chain, hit the headlines last week after confirming reports that he was handing out banknotes of BGN 100 to teachers who had walked off the job in protest against small wages. Photo by BGNES
The Varna prosecutor's office launched an investigation against a controversial Bulgarian businessman, who ran for mayor in the Black Sea city in Sunday elections, after a police search of his office following allegations of vote buying.
Vesselin Mareshki, founder of a large drug store chain, hit the headlines last week after confirming reports that he was handing out banknotes of BGN 100 to teachers who had walked off the job in protest against small wages. The businessman had promised them more money in case he become elected, which he failed to do.
After the police raid, certificates of intercessors, stamped and signed by the municipal electoral committee and BGN 2,260 were seized, commissioner Vesselin Petrov said.
Eighteen people have been already questioned, and some 1,200 will be interrogated during the investigation.
The economic police searched for documents to back with evidence the allegations of vote buying, Darik radio reported. Despite that, no lawsuit could be launched against him as there are no complaints lodged with the prosecution.
According to the report police checked the ID cards of people waiting in front of the office. Witnesses say the mother of the pharmacy boss was also present during the search.
Bulgaria's parliament passed last week an amendment that criminalizes the selling of votes and provides for up to one year in prison. Buyers of votes face up to three years in jail.