Owner of "Bulmetall" in Gurkowo detained in operation by GDbp in Stara Zagora
Kolyo Atanasov, owner of the "Bulmetall" factory in Gurkowo, has been detained for 24 hours following a large-scale operation by GDBOP and SDVR. Searches were carried out at the production facility and at his home.
Detained owner of "Bulmetall", searches at factory and home in Stara Zagora region
Kolyo Atanasov, owner of the metallurgical plant "Bulmetall" in Gurkowo, has been detained for 24 hours following a large-scale police operation, according to Novinite.com, BGNES and bTV. The operation was conducted jointly by the General Directorate for Combating Organised Crime (GDBOP) and the Capital Directorate of Internal Affairs (SDVR).
Police officers surrounded the company's production base as well as Atanasov's private residence. Searches and seizures of equipment continued for hours at both locations.
Investigation focuses on alleged illegal surveillance
The main line of the investigation is linked to alleged illegal surveillance. Investigators are searching for tracking devices — so-called "trackers" — which may have been used to monitor specific individuals. Authorities have not disclosed who the alleged subjects of surveillance are, nor have they publicly established what direct connection the devices might have to Atanasov.
Unofficial versions regarding alleged attempt on former mayor
Unofficial sources point to a second possible reason for the operation — an alleged attempted murder of the former mayor of Gurkowo, which occurred one day before the police operation. Authorities have not commented on this version, have not confirmed that such an incident took place, and have not provided information on any possible charges against the detained businessman.
SDVR teams are actively participating in the operation being carried out in Stara Zagora region. It remains unclear whether the investigation has uncovered leads pointing to Sofia, or whether the case is being conducted by the capital directorate for organisational reasons.
Hundreds of employees — production affected
The searches and seizure of equipment are seriously hampering the operations of the active enterprise, which provides jobs for hundreds of employees and exports a significant portion of its production abroad.
As of now, no formal charges have been announced against Atanasov, and the investigation continues.
Source: Novinite.com