CEZ, the Czech-owned power utility in Western Bulgaria, has declared it cooperates actively with the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior and the prosecution in order to combat electricity theft.

The declaration comes as three current and one former employees of CEZ Bulgaria have been arrested and charged over electricity theft.

"Electricity thefts damage the interests not only of our company but our clients, shareholders and as well the state as a whole. We have declared uncompromising war on such immoral behavior which violates the public interest and in this fight we rely much on the active cooperation and the professionalism of the Ministry of Interior", Petr Dokladal, Regional Manager of CEZ for Bulgaria, said in relation to the arrest three current and one former employees of CEZ.

"The service, we are providing, requires our employees to be real professionals and to be led by the highest moral and ethical standards of the company. So far we have penalized the offenders under the Labor Code and according to the law. In the last case, however, there was a serious violation of the public interest, that made us to approach the Ministry of Interior. We were assisting them actively. Now, we are encouraged that our efforts have led to effective actions and I can assure you that we will continue to be relentless against similar acts", Dokladal added.

Earlier this year, CEZ Bulgaria fired two employees who were detained on charges of fraud. Several months later it opened a special telephone line for reporting of signals for alleged corrupt practices at 0800 19 129, with all calls being free of charge. Abuses can also be reported via email at antikorupcia@cez.bg.

"Thefts of electricity reduce the power grid quality and worsen its performance jeopardizing the security of supply, causing inconvenience to households and businesses and in some cases even endangering lives of people," CEZ stated.

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