Ginka Varbakova and the Failed Plan for the Largest Solar Plant in Southeastern Europe
On 4 July 2008, Pazardzhik Municipality signed a contract with Real States EOOD. The private company is owned by Ginka Varbakova, whose subsequent bid to acquire the Bulgarian assets of the Czech electricity company ČEZ, generated significant controversy in the country. Real States paid BGN 500,000 for nearly 2,000 decares of municipal land.
The investor was tasked with building a solar photovoltaic park with capacity of 50 MW. The stipulated deadline was 32 months from the issue date of the construction permit. The contract outlined a number of other conditions for the investor to meet and contained a penalty clause, allowing the municipality to ask for EUR 1 mln. in case clauses were violated.
To date, only 2.45 MW of the pledged 50 have been installed. ACF’s review of the contract and three annexes signed subsequently showed that the municipality failed to invoke the penalty clause and to protect the public interest. On 20 November 2018, ACF filed a report with the Specialized Prosecution. On 5 June 2019, the prosecution decided it would not open an investigation into the case.
Press releases
Andrey Yankulov took part in the conference “Rule of Law and the Business Environment in Bulgaria”
Disobeying Court Rulings: Anti-Corruption Commission Refuses to Publish Its Decisions on Confiscating Illegally Acquired Property
Four NGOs Have Supported Proposed Legislative Changes to the Criminal Procedure Code, Increasing Accountability of the Prosecutor's Office
“Aliance for Fair Elections” will work against electoral fraud
In 2018, the Prosecutor's Office suspected Miglena Tacheva of malfeasance in office after a report from the ACF
ACF took part in the International Anti-Corruption Conference in Washington DC
The Anti-Corruption Fund announced the winners of the 2022 Red Line Awards for Journalism against Corruption
Paul Pardew becomes International Adviser to the Anti-Corruption Fund
The Administrative Court: The Anti-Corruption Commission’s decisions cannot be official secrets and must be published
Analysis of the ACF: GERB and the Movement for Rights and freedom win the biggest share of votes in polling stations at risk
The others for us
Major General Paul H. Pardew will be ACF's International Advisor
Purchased and controlled vote and trust in the electoral process
Anti-Corruption Fund Foundation held a meeting and discussion in Blagoevgrad
Andrey Yankulov to Fakti: The work of the Anti-Corruption Commission is shrouded in secrecy
Mario Rusinov on election technology and the purchased vote
The most important thing about anomaly-monitoring analyses is the politicians' awareness that they are taking place
Der Standard: As early as 2019, ACF has sent reports to the Financial Inspectorate and the Prosecutor's Office about irregularities at the Capitan Andreevo Check Point
Andrey Yankulov: It is strange that a deputy minister was dismissed after allegations of a BGN 200 000 bribe, and now he has been restored to the same position
Andrey Yankulov: The draft law about the Anti-Corruption Commission allows for external control over the Prosecutor's Office
Trading votes for firewood, or about the election frauds in the upcoming elections
Video
Analysis of the ACF: GERB and the Movement for Rights and freedom win the biggest share of votes in polling stations at risk
The Rules of Bukovlak
"Our Party - Number One": Witness account of voting instead of voters and threats on election day in Breznitsa village
"How many votes do we have for Stefcho?", new witness from Simitli municipality
"How many votes do we have for Stefcho?" Another first-hand account of flagrant violations at the polling stations in Simitli, where Stefan Apostolov won 90% of the vote
Is the Asparuhovo Bridge dangerous?
Swamp Stories from Varna Lake, PART 2
Swamp Stories from Varna Lake, PART 1
The Public Financial Inspection Agency: In Search of the Missing Capacity
Parliamentary elections, November 2021: What happened at the polling stations at risk?
Access to Public Information Request Sent to Regional Directorate for National Building Control
ACF asked for information regarding the building permit issued to Real States EOOD. Despite the company's unwillingness for such information to be disclosed, the directorate has suplied ACF with a copy of the required permit.
ACF Files Report Regarding Pazardjik Municipality's Failure to Seek Compensation
The report is filed with the Specialized Prosecution.
Access to Public Information Request Sent to Pazardzhik Municipality
ACF requested information about the contract signed between the municipality and Real States EOOD.
ACF Given Three Annexes to the Contract, Signed by Pazardzhik Municipality and Real States EOOD
Copies of the documents, dated 20.05.2011, 31.05.2011, and 23.07.2010 were provided to ACF, following proceedings under the Access to Public Information Act.
Report Sent to Public Financial Inspection Agency (PFIA)
PFIA Replies
The agency said it would initiate a financial inspection of Pazardzhik Municipality once it has the necessary administrative capacity.
The Specialized Prosecution Refuses to Start Proceedings
ACF Sends Formal Inquiry to PFIA
The inquiry asked about the financial inspection that PFIA had said it would perform.
PFIA Replies Saying Inspection Not Started Yet
