KNAB obtained evidence of Bartashevich’s undeclared real estate transactions in Bulgaria

The evidence obtained in the KNAB pre-trial investigation shows that in the period from 2007 to 2023, the former chairman of the Rēzekne City Council did not provide information about two jointly owned real estates in Bulgaria with a relative in the declarations of a public official. Also, in the declarations, this state official did not indicate transactions related to the purchase and sale of these properties for a total of 205,786.50 euros, as well as 64,000 euros transactions with natural persons.

As a result of the pre-trial investigation, KNAB has urged the prosecutor’s office to initiate criminal prosecution against the former chairman of the municipality of Rēzekne for providing false information in the statutory declaration of income, property, transactions or other material nature, if false information is indicated about a large amount of property. Liability for such a criminal offense is provided for in the second part of Article 219 of the Criminal Law.

False information in the declaration of a state official has not only legal consequences, but also several other negative aspects, according to KNAB.

Such criminal offenses mislead the public about the actual financial position of a public official and undermine trust in both public officials and public administration. Among other things, it limits the public’s ability to follow the property status of officials, when the official takes office and finally fulfills his duties, which in turn serves as a reference point for the development of a fairer and more open society.

KNAB, by sending the criminal case materials to the Prosecutor’s Office investigating criminal offenses in the service of state institutions, concluded the pre-trial investigation. Currently, the prosecutor’s office, as the initiator of the process, must decide on the further course of the criminal process, which was started on November 22, 2023.

KNAB draws attention to the fact that persons involved in criminal proceedings have the right to defense, and reminds that the presumption of innocence is applied at all stages of the criminal proceedings – from the moment when a person is suspected or accused, until the moment when their guilt in committing a criminal offense is established in accordance with the procedures prescribed by law .

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