Ventsislav Aleksov, a senior officer in the Dragoman Border Police Mobile Unit, was the recipient of the major prize at the traditional annual ceremony of "Police Officer of the Year".

The award was presented to him by Tsvetan Tsvetanov, the Bulgarian Interior Minister on Thursday in Sofia.

Aleksov received his prize as a result of his work on the case of a Serbian citizen who had fled the country because he had been given a jail sentence. While on duty on August 8, Aleksov had recognized him and had tried to stop and arrest him, but was shot in the attempt.

Senior police officer Ludmil Tsvetkov, a member of the Security Police in Svoge, received an individual award, presented by Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Kalin Georgiev.

Thanks to officer Tsvetkov, two people were arrested on July 10 after they had committed an armed robbery in the village of Bov and fatally wounded his colleague Lubomir Mitov.

A similar award was given to chief police officer Anton Dimitrov, based in Haskovo, who has become famous for the fact that he had refused a bribe on more than ten occasions from drivers who had infringed traffic regulations.

Since the beginning of the year, the incorruptible official refused 14 times to accept a bribe. Prime Minister Boyko Borisov presented him with his award.

Senior investigating officer Nadia Nikolova from the Burgas regional sector for Combating Organized Crime, also received an award for her involvement in the investigation of the kidnapping and murder of businessman Stoyan Stoyanov.