British Foreign Minister James Cleverley announced the imposition of sanctions against three influential Bulgarians - Delyan Peevski, Ilko Zhelyazkov and Vasil Bozhkov.

According to the authorities of the Island, they are involved in crimes related to corruption, including misuse of public funds.

The USA announced new sanctions on "Magnitsky": Vladislav Goranov and Rumen Ovcharov are on the list

See the full press release: 

Great Britain and the United States are taking coordinated actions to eradicate corruption in Bulgaria.

Transparency Without Borders ranks Bulgaria as one of the countries most affected by corruption in Europe.

A former MP, a former national security official and the richest man in Bulgaria have been sanctioned by the UK and US for abusing their power by diverting state funds to their own advantage.

The three senior figures of Bulgarian origin were today (Friday 10 February) subject to travel bans on the territories of both countries and asset freezes under the UK's Global Anti-Corruption (GAC) sanctions regime ).

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverley said:

"The sanctioned persons have deprived the people of Bulgaria of resources vital for the economic and social development of the country.

Money that could have been used to repair roads, build hospitals and support Bulgaria's economic growth, instead ended up in the pockets of the same corrupt individuals."

The UK is working closely with the US to support Bulgaria in its efforts to tackle corruption and strengthen the rule of law by sanctioning figures involved in significant corruption.

The sanctioned persons are:

Delyan Peevski, former Member of Parliament and media magnate.

Peevski has been involved in attempts to exercise control over key institutions and sectors in Bulgarian society through bribes and using the influence of his media empire.

Ilko Zhelyazkov, a former national security official and board member of Bulgaria's largest state-owned energy company, who used his position to divert a lucrative government contract for his own benefit.

Vasil Bozhkov, said to be the richest man in Bulgaria, amassed his fortune in the gambling industry.

Bozhkov massively used bribes to protect his business interests.

The UK is committed to fighting corruption around the world and will continue to use all means at its disposal to deal with corrupt individuals wherever they are found.

The UK Government has sanctioned a total of 35 individuals and entities, including today's three, under the Global Anti-Corruption Regime since its introduction in April 2021.