Charges pressed against the senior police officer, investigated for trafficking in cultural property

Prosecutors searched the home and office of a senior police officer from the General Directorate “National Police," BNT sources said on June 2. According to the sources, the investigation is for alleged organized criminal group for trafficking in cultural and historical heritage and money laundering.

The police officer under investigation is Angel Papalezov, BNT has learned. He holds the position of head of the department for combating trafficking in cultural property in the National Police. He was appointed after the retirement of Kiril Hristoskov, who as a pensioner started work in the "Trakia" Foundation of the gambling businessman, Vassil Bozhkov.

Last week, Angel Papalezov was included in the team, which was going to check the activities of the Chief Directorate for Combusting Organised Crime, wh. where the investigative files related to the activities of gambling businessman Bozhkov are, the sources said. The day before, he was removed by the inspection team. It is alleged that there is evidence over the years that he has repeatedly met with the businessman Vasil Bozhkov, who is hiding in Dubai.

Papalezov has been charged for participation in the organized criminal group, established for the purpose of committing crimes under Art. 287a, Art. 288 and Art. 253 of the Penal Code - a crime under Art. 321, para.3.

Caretaker Minister of Interior, Boyko Rashkov, commented in an interview with the “Bird” website that the Prosecutor's office had entered the Ministry of Interior and was conducting searches, with the aim to prevent the revealing of the truth about the illegal telephone tapping of opposition politicians before the April 4 general elections. The aim is to intimidate the new appointments of the caretaker government and to thwart the inspection of illegal use of special surveillance devices. The Prosecutor's office has already openly meddled in the work of the MoI, Rashkov said.

Siika Mileva, the spokesperson of the Prosecutor General, commented on the caretaker Minister of Interior’s statements, saying: "Don't make me comment on untrue assertions made by a political person in pre-election situation. The Prosecutor's office cannot stop working because someone doesn't like it," she added.

She also said further that the State Public Prosecutor’s office applies the law strictly and expects cooperation from all law-enforcement agencies because it is in the interest of all Bulgarians. The Prosecutor's office will not allow to be involved in political battles, the position stated.

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