FORMER DISTRICT GOVERNOR OF HASKOVO CHARGED OVER THE FLOODING IN BISER VILLAGE

Bulgaria’s Prosecutor’s Office pressed charges against Irena Uzunova, former district governor of Haskovo (South Bulgaria) for the flooding in the village of Biser, which occurred 5 years ago. Nine people died after a dam burst as a result of heavy rain and snow storms.

According to the Prosecution, Uzunova did not fulfill her official duties regarding the organization of preventative measures against disasters. In 2011, she received a signal that the dam was not in a good condition, the prosecutors say. They claim Uzunova violated the requirements of the law on waters, which stipulated the measures needed to be undertaken in the event of a dispute over ownership.

“On 23rd of February 2017, Irena Uzunova was indicted because as a governor she failed to fulfill her duties. She should have implemented preventive actions to reduce the risk of disaster. She failed to fulfill the obligations for implementation of the technical operation of the dam in the event of a dispute over its ownership," district prosecutor, Gergana Murafova, said specifying that on 6th of February, 2012 Irena Uzunova allegedly caused the flooding by negligence.

More than 500 witnesses have been interviewed. The damages are assessed to the amount of 1,500,000 BGN caused to nearly 300 people. More witnesses will be interviewed. More people are expected to be charged in connection to the disaster.