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Bulgarian Arms Dealers Probed Over Alleged Russia Sales and Overpriced Weapons for Ukraine
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Bulgarian authorities have launched searches across the country targeting local arms traders at the request of Ukraine.
According to Defense Express on August 12, the investigation appears to focus not only on alleged overpricing in sales to Ukraine’s Defense Forces, but also on potential violations of international sanctions through arms supplies to Russia.
Miroslav Rashkov, acting secretary-general of Bulgaria’s Ministry of Interior, confirmed that the searches were conducted following a request from Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau, though no arrests have been made. Initially, the case was linked to alleged sales of weaponry to Ukraine at inflated prices.
However, Bulgarian outlet bntnews later reported that investigators are examining possible breaches of sanctions, including the suspected sale of arms to Russia. At the request of Ukraine’s Office of the Prosecutor General, police searched the premises of Sage Consultants AD, one of Bulgaria’s largest arms trading companies.
The company is reportedly linked to businessmen Gencho and Hristo Hristov. Public information about the owners is limited, though records show that in 2019, Hristo Hristov purchased an apartment in Beverly Hills, California.
Earlier this year, Bulgarian citizen Petar Mirchev was arrested in Spain at the request of the United States on charges of supplying weapons to a Mexican cartel. The arms in that case were allegedly sourced from a company controlled by the Hristovs.
Investigators allege that the cartel also intended to purchase anti-tank weapons and drones, potentially gaining access to modern battlefield-tested technology.
While there is no confirmed evidence of arms transfers to Russia, the suspected involvement of the same networks in supplying criminal groups has raised concerns about their possible role in circumventing sanctions for the Russian military.
Earlier, Ukraine’s Energy Minister German Galushchenko said the country had not received an official refusal from Bulgaria on purchasing Belene Nuclear Power Plant reactors for the Khmelnytskyi NPP, adding that negotiations had recently intensified and an agreement with the IAEA was expected in July.
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