Krassir Zhivkov dismissed as Deputy Environment Minister

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister on June 1 issued an order for the dismissal of Deputy Minister of Environment and Waters, Krassimir Zhivkov.

Slaveya Stoyanova, who has a master’s degree in biology from Plovdiv University Paisii Hillendarski, had been appointed in his place. Stoyanova formerly was the head of the waste management and soil protection directorate at the ministry. Before that she was a chief expert in the same directorate.

Krassimir Zhivkov is in custody along with businessman Atanas Bobokov and three other allegedly involved in organised crime, facing charges for hazardous waste imports and management.

According to the prosecution, the former head of the environmental inspectorate in Pleven was involved in the scheme. The investigation began in January after a large amount of unseparated waste imported from Italy was found namely in the city of Pleven.

Six people have been arrested so far.

According to the evidence gathered by the Prosecutor’s office, Zhivkov pressured subordinates, mostly head of regional environment inspectorates, to grant permits to companies that did not meet the legal requirements to import unseparated waste. Prosecutors allege that Environment Ministry staff that were unwilling to comply were fired or forced out of their jobs.