Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

High-profile SAPARD fraud case closed due to expiry of statute of limitations

Mario Nikolov
Photo: BGNES

After 13 years at various instances the case against businessman Mario Nikolov for siphoning off millions in EU funding under the SAPARD programme has been closed due to expiry of the statute of limitations.

The case was closed by the Appellate Specialized Criminal Court. The investigation was among the first in Bulgaria connected with embezzlement of European funding in which Mario Nikolov and several other defendants were charged. According to the prosecutor’s office they received European subsidies on the basis of forged documents, passing off old meat processing machines for new.

Thus the SAPARD saga activated by an OLAF report, is now over without convictions.

Reporting by Silvia Velikova, Horizont channel.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

New lane to ease truck traffic at Danube Bridge in Ruse

A new lane for heavy trucks over 12 tons will be opened at the Danube Bridge in Ruse, announced Ruse Regional Governor Dragomir Draganov. The initiative comes from the National Customs Agency, which collects the toll for crossing the facility,..

published on 7/7/25 9:18 AM
Doncho Barbalov

Around 35% of Bulgaria’s exports to the United States could be affected by potential new US tariffs

''The negative impact on Bulgaria from a possible introduction by the U.S. of a 25% tariff on EU goods would amount to USD 678 million . This would mean a 0.49% annual decrease in the country’s total exports compared to the levels without..

published on 7/7/25 8:55 AM

In Gorna Oryahovitsa: An exhibition showcases the history of sugar

Gorna Oryahovitsa is the largest non-district town in Northern Bulgaria. It is located near Bulgaria’s old capital, Veliko Tarnovo, and is an important railway junction. To mark the 155th anniversary of its declaration as a town, the local History..

published on 7/6/25 12:25 PM