Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Investigation under way of construction businessman over extortion charges

Police presence near the house of Veliko Zhelev
Photo: BGNES

The Bulgarian businessman Veliko Zhelev and two other persons are being investigated by the Sofia District Prosecutor's Office for causing bodily harm to a former employee of theirs and extortion. There is evidence that they forced the person to sign a document with false content about unsettled relations, Deputy District Prosecutor Borislav Georgiev said at a briefing.

Zhelev is a former head of the Bulgarian Road Agency and adviser to a regional minister. He is the owner of significant construction companies. 

Zhelev was detained late at night on March 6 in Sofia. The police searched his office in Sofia and a property in Varna. 
The former employee was questioned repeatedly. He was forced to assume a property obligation, said Georgiev.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

74% of young doctors choose to remain in Bulgaria

For the third year running, the number of young doctors who want to remain in Bulgaria after graduation has been going up, indicate the results of a survey conducted among 224 Bulgarian students who graduated the Sofia Medical University’s medical..

published on 2/21/25 2:47 PM
Boyko Borissov, 21 February, 2025

GERB: US policy may pose a risk to Bulgaria’s economy

GERB leader Boyko Borissov told reporters that he supports the position of US President Donald Trump for peace in Ukraine, but that he insists on Bulgaria remaining loyal to its European partners. The policy of the new US administration may pose..

published on 2/21/25 2:35 PM

Bulgaria should receive its second medical helicopter by the end of February

The second medical service helicopter purchased by Bulgaria has undergone flight tests in the presence of a Bulgarian commission visiting the base of the manufacturer Leonardo S.p.A . in Vergiate, Italy. The team is to carry out the so-called..

published on 2/21/25 1:33 PM