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

Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov says his predecessor acquainted him with the defendants in the smuggling case

Kalin Stoyanov
Photo: BGNES

Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov told reporters in parliament that his predecessor Boyko Rashkov (We Continue the Change/Democratic Bulgaria) acquainted him with Stefan Dimitrov and his father Marin Dimitrov, who stand accused of smuggling and who were detained in last week’s operation by the State Agency for National Security at the National Customs Agency.

Together with the former Director of the National Customs Agency Petya Bankova they have been charged as participants in an organized crime group active in smuggling. Kalin Stoyanov made this statement in parliament shortly before appearing at the hearing of the ad hoc commission investigating corruption practices at the National Customs Agency.

A few days ago photographs were leaked to the press, showing Stefan and Marin Dimitrov posing with former Interior Ministry Secretary General Zhivko Kotsev and with Boyko Rashkov, after which, at the proposal of the new caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev, President Rumen Radev issued a decree dismissing Kotsev.

Petya Bankova was also dismissed from the post.



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

Labour Minister of Tajikistan, Ms Kholmahmadzoda Soleha, meets with Bulgarian deputy Prine Minister, Atanas Zafirov (C) in Dushanbe.

Bulgarian delegation visits Dushanbe to strengthen bilateral relations

An official Bulgarian delegation, led by  Deputy Prime Minister  Ivaylo Zafirov, began its visit to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, with a working meeting with the Tajik Minister of Labour, Migration and Employment, Kholmahmadzoda Soleha. The three-day visit..

published on 5/28/25 5:15 PM
Angel Papalezov

Two Bulgarian migrant traffickers have been arrested for smuggling vehicles into Turkey

In a coordinated operation on 8 May, Bulgarian and Turkish authorities arrested two Bulgarian nationals for their alleged involvement in an organised migrant trafficking network operating along the so-called 'Balkan route'. This route is used by..

published on 5/28/25 3:29 PM

Eurobarometer: The majority of Bulgarians are optimistic about their future in the EU

The majority of Bulgarians are optimistic about the EU. They expect the community to ensure peace first and foremost. This is according to Eurobarometer data presented by the European Commission, as reported by BTA. 63% of Bulgarians support the..

published on 5/28/25 1:41 PM