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WikiLeaks Releases 'Uncensored' US Cable on Organized Crime in Bulgaria

Crime | March 18, 2011, Friday // 20:15

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Bulgaria: WikiLeaks Releases 'Uncensored' US Cable on Organized Crime in Bulgaria

Snapshot from WikiLeaks of the 2005 US diplomatic cable on organized crime in Bulgaria.

WikiLeaks has released what it says to be an "uncensored" version of the US diplomatic cable by former US Ambassador to Bulgaria James Pardew sent on July 7, 2005, outlining "Who Is Who in Bulgarian Organized Crime"

The WikiLeaks publication on Friday, March 18, 2011, is said to be a fuller version of the US diplomatic cable which names what appear to be considered by the US Embassy in Sofia the major organized crime groups in Bulgaria as well as connections between organized crime and politicians.

A shortened, or "censored", version of the same document was first released in December 2010, published by WikiLeaks and The Guardian, with only the document's section on Russian influence in Bulgaria being provided.

The authenticity of the alleged diplomatic cable, i.e. the version published by WikiLeaks as "uncensored" on March 18, 2011 cannot be verified.

The document mentions dozens of names of individuals, including alleged mobsters, shady businessmen, and politicians, as well as companies and business groupings. Many of the individuals listed are no longer alive having been shot dead in the past decade.

Full Text of the 2005 US Diplomatic Cable on organized crime in Bulgaria is available HERE

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