Belitsa and Sungurlare: construction firm with contracts in nine municipalities in focus
After the arrest of two mayors, investigators are scrutinising a construction firm with contracts worth millions. Belitsa has an acting mayor, and the defence is appealing.
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Video: YouTube · bTV Media Group · youtube.com
In the case of the mayors of Belitsa and Sungurlare, who are in pretrial detention, attention is turning to a construction company. According to BNT's research, the company Vera Stroy has won public contracts in several municipalities, including Belitsa, Sungurlare, Rudozem, Garmen, Velingrad, Yakoruda, Borino, Dospat and Sarnitsa. In Sungurlare it has been involved since 2024 in four tenders worth almost 7 million euros, including the renovation of a care home for the elderly in Lozarevo for more than 2.3 million euros. In Belitsa the company has nine further contracts, two of them from this year worth more than 5 million euros. The owner did not respond to a request for comment; whether there were any violations is the subject of the investigation.
The two mayors are accused of taking part in a criminal group trading in influence over public procurement; according to bTV, investigators speak of alleged kickbacks of up to 35 percent. They are presumed innocent. The Burgas District Court had ruled that both remain in custody, and the defence plans to appeal. "There is no question of any millions," said the lawyer of the mayor of Sungurlare. In Belitsa, Sabit Gagam is temporarily taking over the mayor's duties.