The Golden Puddle. Kneel-Deep into the Gaping Hole at the Border

The Swiss edition “Neue Zürcher Zeitung” published an extensive report on the long-running scheme of privatizing the border control at “Kapitan Andreevo.” The report focuses on the consequences for food safety and also cites ACF reports to institutions:
“On average, Interpred Eurologistic’s control checks lasted only 6 minutes – far too short of doing all the sampling the private company claims to have done. There are indications that controls on pesticide content in food were inadequately carried out. As a result, food with unacceptable concentrations of harmful substances has been reaching EU countries and Switzerland for years.”
“For the entire year 2021, only 6 tons of food was stopped because of high levels of pesticides,” the publication added. “In July 2022, when the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency took control, 22 tons were stopped in just one day. Privatizing border control has also meant the state cannot curb illegal drug and human trafficking.”
Neue Zürcher Zeitung also quotes the ACF in connection with the so-called “Golden Tümpel” or “Golden Puddle” at the border:
“Already in 2019, the NGO Anti-Corruption Fund sent signals to the Prosecutor’s Office about illegal activities at “Kapitan Andreevo.” However, the reports remain without consequences.”
See the full story in German here
Press releases

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The Prosecutor's Office has terminated the pre-trial proceedings on the allegations of bribery by prof. Plamen Mollov. We are waiting for the response of the European Public Prosecutor's Office

ACF: Suspicions of serious irregularities in the judicial acts in favor of Eurolab 2011 Ltd regarding “Capitan Andreevo” Border Crossing

The Public Financial Inspection Agency will investigate the Golden puddle at the Turkish border three years after the ACF's report

Meeting of the National Assembly Revision Committee with the participation of Lora Georgieva and Boyko Stankushev from the Anti-Corruption Fund.

ACF: the “Golden Puddle” contract is in violation of the law and the Minister of Agriculture should declare it null and void
The others for us

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

Lora Georgieva: It is worrying that the court’s interpretations are contrary to the EU Regulation and in favor of a private company
