
The police in the central Bulgarian city of Veliko Tarnovo arrested and later released on own recognizance a local municipal councilman over involvement in organized crime. File photo
The municipal councilman from Bulgaria's city of Veliko Tarnovo, Ivan Ivanov, has been charged with participation in organized crime.
Ivanov, who is also the owner of the advertising and publishing business “B” has been involved with a group codenamed “The Forgers,” the Regional Prosecutor's Office informs Monday.
Ivanov is not under arrest and has been released on his own recognizance.
The organized crime group was busted on April 21 in Veliko Tarnovo and the nearby town of Sevlievo during a raid that led to the discovery of large amount of forged documents, banknotes and road vignette stickers.
The probe showed that Miroslav Stankov, 38, from Sofia has been the ringleader, and had several accomplices from Veliko Tarnovo and Sevlievo. Those from Veliko Tarnovo fabricated the forgeries in rented facilities of the “B” company.
During the second raid, carried out on July 8, the police confiscated from the printing office there over 500 000 fake road vignette stickers, computers, a server, various fake documents such as diplomas and professional certificates, and a fake “Lukoil” company stamp.