Bulgaria/The Balkans

Jailed Bulgarian Drug Boss Escorted to Court over Fellows' Trial

http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=98800

Death in Bulgaria Exposes Rigors of Fighting Graft

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/14/world/eu...rld&oref=slogin

Bulgaria's Special Agents Bust Wanted Organized Crime Boss Zlatko Baretata
6 February 2009, Friday


A special task team from DANS has apprehended Friday morning the alleged crime boss Zlatko Baretata. Photo by BGNES

A special task team from the Bulgarian State Agency for National Security (DANS) has apprehended Friday morning the alleged crime boss Zlatomir Ivanov aka Zlatko Baretata ("The Barret"), Bulgarian information agencies report.

On Wednesday, the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office issued a call for a state-wide search for Ivanov. The search was called after Baretata failed to appear at the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office by 2 pm Wednesday as mandated by a summon issued earlier in the day.

The authorities have been trying to track down Baretata and several of his closest associates to interrogate them about their alleged link to three murders for hire and two attempted murders. They are also face charges for establishing and heading an organized crime group, distribution, trade, and dealing of illegal drugs.

Sofia Police staged Wednesday morning a special operation in order to detain Zlatomir Ivanov. They raided his offices and his house in the Sofia "Dragalevtsi" suburb.

In a special interview for the Darik radio Tuesday, one of the alleged top drug dealers in Bulgaria's capital Sofia in the recent years, Dimitar Vuchev aka Dembi, stated that Baretata was the most important Bulgarian Drug Lord as well as the mastermind behind several of the country's emblematic execution style underworld killings.

The first murder Baretata is linked to the one of Georgi Natsev, European Boxing Champion and former bodyguard of Dembi. Natsev was killed on June 12, 2005 by a bomb placed in a car driven by several of Dembi's bodyguards.

The second murder for hire, allegedly masterminded by Baretata, is the one of the notorious Drug Lord Nikola Ivanov Bobura (The Beaver), who was shot by nine bullets in the chest and head on October 8, 2006 . The shooting happened on front of the bar "Amazing" in Sofia's district "Gotse Delchev", following two previous, unsuccessful attempts on The Beaver's life in 2004 and 2005.

Baretata is also going to be charged with the attempted murder of Dembi, perpetrated in the morning of December 6, 2006 in front of the "Skyline" bar in the Sofia "Simeonovo" suburb,

Baretata is further linked with the murder attempt on the life of Anton Miltenov aka Klyuna (The Beak), committed on June 28, 2002. The Beak was shot by an unknown sharpshooter in his house on the Sofia "Kniyzhevo" suburb.

The other attempted murder Baretata is, reportedly, going to be charged with, is the shooting against Radoslav Velkov - Temeruta (The Unfriendly) on December 6, 2006. The Unfriendly was shot in the head upon leaving the Sixth Police Precinct in Sofia where he had been with his lawyer to be interrogated about the attempted murder of Dembi, earlier that same day.

For years, the murder attempt on the life of the Unfriendly, along with several others, had been attributed to Dembi.

Thursday, the Sofia City Prosecutor subpoenaed Baretata, who was asked to appear at the Prosecutor's Office by 11 am on Friday. Baretata's wife had signed the subpoena

Police Cancels Search for Bulgaria's Alleged Top Drug Lord
10 February 2009, Tuesday


A portrait hanging in Dembi’s house shows Dembi and the now deceased Anton Miltenov Klyuna, (The Beak). Photo by Nina Alexandrova, Darik radio.
The Bulgarian authorities have staged an overnight search operation for Bulgaria's alleged top Drug Lord Dimitar Vuchev aka Dembi, the Bulgarian private Darik radio reported Tuesday.

On Monday night, the Police raided Dembi's house in Sofia's "Simeonovo" suburb and a hotel, where he was believed to be staying.

A judge from Sofia's City Court issued an arrest warrant Monday for Vuchev because he failed to appear for the scheduled trial over the shooting of another drug dealer, Ilian Varsanov.

The Police canceled the search after Dembi's lawyer submitted to a doctor's note to the Court stating that Vuchev had suffered an asthma attack.

Ivana Antonov, Dembi's defense council, told the Darik radio his client was currently at home, adding that he informed him about the arrest warrant.

One week ago, in an exclusive interview for the Darik radio, Dembi gave his private account of the dealings of another alleged crime boss, Zlatomir Ivanov aka Baretata (The Barret). Dembi stated then that Baretata was the most important Bulgarian Drug Lord as well as the mastermind behind several of the country's emblematic execution style underworld killings.

The interview, allegedly, triggered the nationwide search for Baretata and his February 6 arrest .

It is believed that Zlatomir Ivanov will be prosecuted for three murders for hire (those of Georgi Natsev, Nikola Ivanov Bobura (The Beaver), and Anton Miltenov Klyuna, (The Beak) and two attempted murders, (of Radoslav Velkov - Temeruta (The Unfriendly) and Dembi himself).

In a second interview for the Darik radio Sunday, Dembi told the investigative reporter that he was afraid for his life.

A portrait hanging in Dembi’s house shows Dembi and the now deceased Anton Miltenov Klyuna, (The Beak). Photo by Nina Alexandrova, Darik radio.
http://www.novinite.com/media/images/2009-02/101145.jpg

A portrait hanging in Dembi’s house shows Dembi and the now deceased Anton Miltenov


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Bulgaria Capital Luxury Bar Nero Destroyed by Bombing
18 February 2009, Wednesday


Police investigate the overnight explosion at one of the most famous luxury bars in Bulgaria capital's downtown - "Nero." Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia Photo Agency)
| buy photo |
One of the most famous luxury bars in Bulgaria capital's downtown was bombed soon after midnight Wednesday. There were no casualties or injuries at the Sofia bar "Nero" as it was closed Tuesday night but a lot of damage was caused to surrounding buildings, Darik Radio reported.

The explosion, which was caused by roughly 400 grams of T.N.T, damaged the buildings surrounding Nero, breaking windows and causing slight structural damage to buildings on the central ‘Vitosha Boulevard'.

The bar itself was completely destroyed. The security at Nero reported that a man had left a small packet at the door shortly before the explosion.

Nero's owner is the scandalous Nikolay Metodiev - Pileto (The Chicken). He is famous for having been found not guilty recently for smuggling USD 4 M of Chinese goods through the Kalotina - Promahon and Kulata - Promahon border crossings on the Greece - Bulgaria border.




Sofia Appellate Court Decides to Keep Alleged Crime Boss Baretata behind Bars
19 February 2009, Thursday

The Sofia Appellate Court decided Thursday to keep behind bars alleged crime boss Zlatomir Ivanov aka Baretata (The Barret), affirming the February 9 decision of Sofia City Court to hold Baretata under permanent detention.

The magistrates stated Thursday that it was very likely Ivanov has committed the crimes he is charged with - drug trafficking and murders for hire.

The Court interrogated new witnesses presented by the Prosecution in support of the charges.

Ivanov was arrested on February 6, after the Sofia City Prosecutor issued a call for a state-wide search for him because he failed to appear at the Prosecutor's Office by 2 pm on February 4, as mandated by a summon.

The Sofia City Deputy Prosecutor, Roman Vasilev, stated on February 12 that Baretata has been detained during a special operation conducted by the Bulgarian State Agency for National Security (DANS) and the Main Directorate "Criminal Police."

Ivanov's attorneys insist that Baretata had surrendered to the authorities immediately after receiving the Prosecutor's subpoena.

In a special interview for the Darik radio on February 3, one of the alleged top drug dealers in Bulgaria's capital Sofia in the recent years, Dimitar Vuchev aka Dembi, stated that Baretata was the most important Bulgarian Drug Lord as well as the mastermind behind several of the country's emblematic execution style underworld killings.

Baretata is, allegedly, linked to two murders for hire and three attempted murders.

The decision of the Appellate Courts is final and cannot be appealed. Baretata's lawyers refused to offer any comments at the conclusion of the court session.

BIA investigating connection between criminals and politicians with Mladic
Author: Tanja Nikolić – Đaković | 18.03.2009 - 10:20


Belgrade – ‘Locating and arrest of Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic what would finalize cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, is a priority of the BIA (Security Information Agency). I cannot say how close to Mladic we are since I do not talk about ongoing actions, but I would like to repeat that all of our capacities have been engaged on completion of that task and they shall be arrested if they are in the territory of Serbia’, Sasa Vukadinovic, BIA Director said after yesterday’s meeting of Serbia Parliament Board for defense and security. The members of that board adopted the BIA report over security situation in Serbia by majority of votes.

Vukadinovic also said that at the moment the agency is leading an action that should determine if there is connection between organized crime, political parties and war crimes suspects looked for by the Hague Tribunal. The BIA Director said he could not speak about it before it is over. Vukadinovic further said that the BIA had arrested Radovan Karadzic without help of foreign services.
According to his words the BIA is not physically present in Kosovo and Metohija what makes collecting of information in that part of Serbia more difficult, but that in spite of that ‘the Agency is coming in possession of certain information in other ways that include cooperation with partner services’.
‘We are also collecting data concerning body organs trading in Kosovo and Albania and forwarding them to the War crimes prosecution’, Vukadinovic said.
He did not want to say who ordered operational actions ‘Sumadija’, ‘Kaktus’ and ‘Macva’ aimed to find evidence related to assassination of Ivan Stambolic, Slavko Curuvija and crime at Ibarska highway. He also did not want to tell who of Zoran Djindjic’s closest associates had been followed 24 hours a day.
‘It is known that files used to be destroyed in fire, but there are other traces of those files such as microfilms. Those involved in the destruction shall have to bear the responsibility’, Vukadinovic said.
The DS deputy Marko Djurisic suggested closed session so that the BIA and deputies could talk over sensitive issues.

Prominent Veliko Tarnovo Lawyer Shot in Broad Daylight
Crime | March 25, 2009, Wednesday


A prominent lawyer from Veliko Turnovo was found dead in his garage, not far away from his house Wednesday. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency.

Petar Lupov, a well-know lawyer from the Bulgarian city of Veliko Tarnovo was shot dead Wednesday.

Lupov was killed in his garage, not far away from his house, on the Veliko Tarnovo's "Bulgaria" boulevard.

The lawyer was found dead in his automobile.

There have been two previous attempts on Lupov's life in the summer of last year. The lawyer was attacked and beaten in his office by a unidentified assailant in July while just one month later his car was set on fire and totaled.

Lupov's name is connected with the defense team for a group of shareholders of the former "Trakya Bank" - Plovdiv against the DZI Bank.

Police Believe Missing Bulgarian Businessman Was Abducted
Crime | March 29, 2009, Sunday


No one has contacted the family of the Bulgarian businessman Kiro Kirov, who was declared missing on Saturday, to ask for ransom.

This was announced by Kirov's daughter, Silviya Baseva, in an interview for Darik Radio.

The police are investigating several scenarios but the primary case they are working on is kidnapping because Kirov's story seems very similar to the case of the President of the Litex Football Club, Angel Bonchev. In the spring of 2008, Bonchev was abducted and held for over fifty.

The jeep of the 70-year-old Kirov was found by his son in front of his house in the Sofia's Bankya Quarter with open doors, and headlights turned on.

Kiro Kirov is the CEO of Kirov Holding which includes a number of firms for the production of furniture, a textile firm, a transport firm, and firms importing construction equipment and machines, including of the Bosch brand.

In 2007, Kirov Holding had a turnover of BGN 204 M. Kirov is a machine engineer, and a graduate of the Sofia Technical University.

Bulgaria Probes Sreten Josic Links, Opposition Cries Foul
Crime | April 15, 2009, Wednesday

Sreten Josic, who was arrested in Bulgaria in June 2002, was extradited in August the same year to the Netherlands under tight security measures. Photo by the Interior Ministry A parliamentary ad hoc committee has been set up to probe the claims of alleged Balkan drug lord Sreten Josic for political protection in Bulgaria.

Last week Sreten Josic, also known as Joca Amsterdam, told a Belgrade court he enjoyed the protection of high-ranking officials in Bulgaria, citing the names of the then Interior Chief Secretary Boyko Borisov, who was later elected Sofia mayor, and Nikolay Gigov, owner of Lokomotiv football club.

A day later the Socialist Party, who will be the main rival of the mayor party GERB in the upcoming general elections in the summer, said they were extremely concerned by Josic's statements. Borisov fired back, saying that the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) was using his life as stake in their pursuit of power.

The decision for establishing the committee was approved with the votes of MPs from the ruling Socialist party, their key coalition partner the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, the nationalist Ataka party and independent MPs.

All opposition parties slammed the committee for what they called "the clear political dividends that it seeks to draw."

Opinion polls show that the popular opposition right-wing party GERB of maverick Sofia mayor Boyko Borisov, which is not in parliament now, would win most votes but not an outright majority.

GERB is the main rival of the ruling Socialist party, which, Borisov claims, has crafted a long-term strategy to discredit him.

Sreten Josic, who was arrested in Bulgaria in June 2002, was extradited in August the same year to the Netherlands.Due to lack of irrefutable evidence, the Netherlands agreed to hand the suspected mobster over to Serbia.

Josic is believed to be an important player in heroin and cocaine trafficking onto Western European markets, trading directly with South American cartels. His name has been linked to the murders of some of Bulgaria's underworld bosses - Poli Pantev, who was killed in March 2001 in Aruba, and Ivan Todorov - Doctora, shot dead in February in downtown Sofia.

http://www.vagabond-bg.com/index.php?page=akcent&id=831

Bulgarian Court Delays Mobster Murder Case
Crime | April 27, 2009, Monday

Bulgaria: Bulgarian Court Delays Mobster Murder Case
The next hearing has been scheduled for May 18. Photo by BGNES

Sofia City Court postponed once again the hearing of the trial over the murder of alleged mobster Milcho Bonev, dubbed Baj Mile, who was shot in 2004.

Irregularities in the summoning of witnesses from Turkey and Bulgaria made the court come up with this ruling. The next hearing has been scheduled for May 18.

Bonev, one of the founders of Bulgaria's obsolete ex-grouping SIC, was executed along with his bodyguards on July 30, 2004 in broad daylight in Slavia restaurant-garden in Sofia's Ovcha Kupel district.

Tihomir Dochev, Stilian Georgiev, Georgi Stefanov, and Anatoli Mankov, were arrested on charges of involvement in the gang-style shooting of Bonev and the five bodyguards.

Baj Mile was believed to be an important link in the drug trafficking and distributing network on the Balkans, investigated by Bulgarian and Serbian special services.

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Sreten Jocic arrested over murder of Croatian daily’s owner

Sreten Jocic, nickname Joca Amsterdam was arrested yesterday at his home at 33, Tolstojeva Street over suspicion to have ordered and organized assassination of Ivo Pukanic, owner of ‘Nacional’ daily of Zagreb. At the same time the police are investigation Jocic's connection with the double murder at Dobanovci last Friday when two totally carbonated bodies were found in a jeep set on fire.

'Jocic was arrested at the order of the Special prosecution for organized crime. Our judicial bodies as per the law in force can launch action against our citizens for a criminal offence committed abroad’, our source from the Home Ministry says. According to this source Jocic’s arrest was not made at the request from Zagreb. The arrest action began at 13.00 CET when police vehicles with members of anti-terror police stopped in front of a rented villa that Sreten Jocic lived in. He rented that villa form Slobodan Milosevic’s widow Mirjana Markovic. They raided the villa and Jocic’s lawyer Zdenko Tomanovic arrived soon afterwards. ‘His house is being searched because of what happened in Croatia’, Tomanovic said leaving the house two hours later.

the serbian internal ministry has released a statement that there is over 50 crime families with over 800 members operating in belgrade.

Joca Jocic is the most dangerous criminal in Europe! On his orders many high profile gangsters were killed in Serbia, Austria, Thailand, Aruba, Holland, Bulgaria, Spain and other countries....Murder INC...

Joca Jocic

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QAIswWzFUs...re=channel_page

Video of Jocic:

Otvoreno - Joca Amsterdam 1/6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifBOahIwNa4

why was he called "amsterdam"? did he operate there?

Yes, after the murder of ‘Duja' Becirovic in 1990 Joca became the boss of the Yugoslav mafia in the Netherlands. His group is suspected of numerous contract killings in the Netherlands, most of them are Dutch criminals like Klaas Bruinsma, Sam Klepper and Jan Femer.

Sreten Josic Implicated in Bulgaria Underworld Lords Murders
Crime | May 6, 2009, Wednesday




Sreten Josic is said to be the man behind the assassinations of Bulgarian mafia bosses Poli Pantev, Konstantin Dimitrov and Ivan Todorov among others. Photo by BGNES

Alleged Balkan drug lord Sreten Josic has masterminded the murders of a number of Bulgarian underworld bosses, Serbian press reported, citing police sources.

Josic, also known as Joca Amsterdam, was detained last week on charges of being an accomplice in the murder of the owner of the Croatian magazine "National" Ivo Pukanic.

Serbian police reportedly expects his arrest to lead to clues related to the murders of a number of mafia bosses, who were important players in cocaine trafficking from Latin America to Europe.

Most of them are believed to be Bulgarian underworld lords, who were Josic's partners in the supply and distribution of cocaine.

Josic has been linked to the assassinations of Poli Pantev, who was killed in March 2001 in Aruba, Konstantin Dimitrov a.k.a. Samokovetsa, shot dead in broad daylight in Amsterdam in December 2003 and Ivan Todorov - Doctora, who found his death in February 2006 in downtown Sofia.

At the beginning of April Sreten Josic made headlines in Bulgaria, telling a Belgrade court he enjoyed the protection of high-ranking officials here, citing the names of the then Interior Chief Secretary Boyko Borisov, who was later elected Sofia mayor, and Nikolay Gigov, owner of Lokomotiv football club.

Borisov vehemently denied the allegations, accusing the ruling three-party coalition of crafting a long-term strategy to discredit him.

To add to what Hollander posted. Jocic was the most feared crime boss in The Netherlands. He had a crew of vicious killers. I also read he was the Yugos boss for Western Europe.

David, do you know what happend to Uka Priescu and Mille Parac are they still alive?



A 35-year-old Croatian policeman, who took part in the investigation into the murder of a Croatian magazine owner, has committed suicide, local media reported.

The man, whose name has not been disclosed so far, has shot himself with one bullet in the head on the Zagreb-Krepina highway.

The news of the suicide comes just two days after suspected Balkan drug lord Sreten Josic was arrested by the Serbian police on allegations of being an accomplice in the murder of Ivo Pukanic, owner and editor-in-chief of the Croatian weekly "Nacional".

More on Croatia
http://z14.invisionfree.com/GangstersInc/i...?showtopic=1006

Sorry, I have no idea.

Bulgaria Alleged Crime Boss Baretata Remains behind Bars
Crime | May 11, 2009, Monday


Alleged crime boss Zlatomir Ivanov aka Baretata will remain behind bars despite his defense Council request to change the detention measure. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency
The Sofia City Court decided Monday to keep behind bars alleged crime boss Zlatomir Ivanov aka Baretata (The Barret).

Ivanov' Defense Council requested lifting the permanent detention measure, but opposed statements that the request was made over Baretata's worsening health condition.

Attorneys Lachezar Takov and Dimitar Vulchev explained they have asked for the change of the measure because they wanted a check-up of the Prosecutor's work since their client's arrest, adding in three months the People failed to present any evidence implicating Ivanov in any criminal activity involvement.

The lawyers further said the testimony of the main Prosecutor's witness, Dimitar Vuchev AKA Dembi, have been completely unfounded and unreliable.

Ivanov was arrested on February 6, after the Sofia City Prosecutor issued a call for a state-wide search for him because he failed to appear at the Prosecutor's Office by 2 pm on February 4, as mandated by a summon.

The Sofia City Deputy Prosecutor, Roman Vasilev, stated on February 12 that Baretata has been detained during a special operation conducted by the Bulgarian State Agency for National Security (DANS) and the Main Directorate "Criminal Police."

Ivanov's attorneys insist that Baretata had surrendered to the authorities immediately after receiving the Prosecutor's subpoena.

In a special interview for the Darik radio on February 3, one of the alleged top drug dealers in Bulgaria's capital Sofia in the recent years, Dimitar Vuchev aka Dembi, stated that Baretata was the most important Bulgarian Drug Lord as well as the mastermind behind several of the country's emblematic execution style underworld killings.

Baretata is, allegedly, linked to two murders for hire and three attempted murders.

Bulgaria Police Busts Notorious Crime Boss Dembi
Crime | May 14, 2009, Thursday



Dimitar Vuchev-Dembi. Photo by BGNES Dimitar Vuchev aka Dembi has been arrested Thursday, Darik radio reports.

The arrest was made in connection with a 2001 ongoing trial against him, but there are currently no details about the reason for the bust.

Darik sources from the Interior Ministry had confirmed the information off the record.

Dembi's name is connected with several murders for hire, beatings and illegal drug trafficking.

A September 2004 shooting at a car with Dembi and two bodyguards inside closed the "Lyulin" tunnel in Sofia for hours. Dembi survived the attack.

In December 2006 there was another attempt on Vuchev's life. Shots were again fired at his car parked in front of a bar in Sofia's "Simeonovo" suburb.

In February 2009, Dembi implicated another alleged Bulgarian mafia boss, Zlatomir Ivanov aka "Baretata" ("The Barret"), in being the mastermind behind several of Sofia's emblematic and high profile gang killings.

Baretata is currently being investigated and is being kept under permanent detention.

Bulgaria Businessman Shot Dead in Sofia’s Boyana
Crime | May 18, 2009, Monday


The Bulgarian businessman, Alexandar Zarev, has been shot dead Monday at around 6.30 pm in the Boyana quarter of Sofia.

He was shot several times in the head while driving his Suzuki Vitara on Byal Ravnets Str. in Boyana, Darik Radio reported.

Alexandar Zarev is the owner of the "Sofiiska Banitsa" chain.

The reason for the assassination is still not clear.

Bulgarians Flock to Support Alleged Mafia Boss for MP
Elections 2009 | May 24, 2009, Sunday


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With no fear of Bulgaria's justice system and lots of support from the people, Plamen Galev has good reasons to be happy. Photo by BGNES

Hundreds of Bulgarians have already signed up in support of the nomination for member of parliament of one of the two infamous Galevi brothers, who are allegedly amongst Bulgaria's central mafia bosses, Trud daily reported.

The two men are believed to be the most influential people in the town of Dupnitsa, close to Sofia, where citizens reportedly waited in a queue to show their allegiance.

Supporters of Plamen Galev submitted on Friday the documents for his run in the Regional Election Commission in the town of Kyustendil. The nomination can be registered in the Central Election Commission in Sofia only after the candidate gathers 10,000 signatures in his support.

Plamen Galev and Angel Hristov are currently in custody but their lawyer, Menko Menkov, announced in April their determination to run for members of Bulgaria's parliament.

Menkov also confirmed that they will not be putting forward their candidature for the European Parliament but will instead concentrate on this summer's Bulgarian general elections.

Earlier, Bulgaria's chief prosecutor had harshly criticized the decision of the two notorious businessmen from the southwest town of Dupnitsa to run for parliament, saying what they seek is an escape from justice.

Galev and Hristov have been in custody for five months already on charges of establishing and leading an organized crime group and racketeering.

The two came to the public's attention after it was leaked to the media that the former Interior Minister Rumen Petkov had met with them while they were under investigation for organized criminal activities.

The information spurred a scandal, which eventually led to the resignation of Petkov as Interior Minister.

Serbian Authorities Investigate Drug Lord Josic's Bulgarian Jeep
Crime | May 28, 2009, Thursday

The Serbian Special Prosecutor's Office for Fighting Organized Crime began the investigation of the properties of crime boss, Sreten Josic.

During Josic' arrest in Belgrade last month, the authorities confiscated several expensive cars. An Interpol checkup established the automobiles were registered to Josic' security guards and have not been stolen. The verification of a Jeep Grand Cherokee from Bulgaria is still pending, according to Serbian media.

Josic insists the confiscated cars were his friends'.

In the mean time, the Serbian magistrates extended Josic' detention by two months. He is charged with organizing the murder of the Croatian journalist Ivo Pukanic. The Serbian law provides for 40 years in jail for similar crimes.

At the beginning of April Sreten Josic made headlines in Bulgaria, telling a Belgrade court he enjoyed the protection of high-ranking officials here, citing the names of the then Interior Chief Secretary Boyko Borisov, who was later elected Sofia mayor, and Nikolay Gigov, owner of Lokomotiv football club.

Borisov vehemently denied the allegations, accusing the ruling three-party coalition of crafting a long-term strategy to discredit him.

Alleged Balkan drug lord Sreten Josic is also suspected of masterminding the murders of a number of Bulgarian underworld bosses, who were Josic's partners in the supply and distribution of cocaine.

Josic has been linked to the assassinations of Poli Pantev, who was killed in March 2001 in Aruba, Konstantin Dimitrov a.k.a. Samokovetsa, shot dead in broad daylight in Amsterdam in December 2003 and Ivan Todorov - Doctora, who found his death in February 2006 in downtown Sofia

Sofia Police Busts Crime Boss Baretata's Top Team
Crime | June 4, 2009, Thursday


Masked policemen broke at the Kempinski Hotel in Sofia Thursday morning and arrested 5 men, allegedly belonging to Baretata's crime group. File Photo

Bulgaria's special police arrested during a Thursday raid people from the closest circle of alleged underworld boss Zlatomir Ivanov aka Zlatko Baretata (The Barret).

The raid took place at the upscale Kempinski Hotel Zografski in the capital, Sofia around 11 am when masked police employees entered the hotel and detained five men.

The news was reported by Darik Radio.

The Interior Ministry confirmed the arrests were part of a counteraction against a Sofia organized crime group dealing with illegal drug trafficking, racketeering, robberies, shark loans and prostitution, but refused to offer further details.

Darik radio informs the five men belong to the closest circle around Baretata and lists them as Serafim Antonov, Dimitar Kukev, Hristo Zlatkov, Petar Valchanov, and Borislav Borislavov.

The most notorious names among them are those of Antonov aka Fikata and Borislavov aka Bobi Belyata (The Trouble).

Fikata has been arrested in 2002 over allegations of an attempt to bomb a car repair shop, and later released. He was detained with traces of explosive on his hands and offered the explanation he has been fishing.

The Trouble was sentenced to 17 years behind bars for murder, but was later acquitted by the Appellate Curt and the Supreme Court of Cassations.

Baretata is, allegedly, linked to two murders for hire and three attempted murders and has been behind bars since February 6.




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Borisov on Serbian Drug Boss Josic: Nothing Personal, Did My Job
Crime | June 4, 2009, Thursday

Sofia Mayor and former Interior Ministry Secretary Borisov spoke on the Josic Case in an interview for the Serbian magazine Vreme. Photo by BGNES Sofia Mayor Boyko Borisov has stated he had "nothing personal" against the alleged Serbian drug boss Sreten Josic.

Borisov, who was the Chief Secretary of Bulgaria's Interior Ministry in 2001-2005, made this statement in an interview for the Serbian magazine "Vreme".

When asked if he was aware of the rumors that Josic had ordered his assassination, Borisov said he had just done his job when Josic was arrested and extradited to the Netherlands at the request of the Dutch police.

Sofia Mayor Borisov also stated that the recent allegations that he helped and protected Josic in during the stay of the alleged Serbian drug boss in Bulgaria had not affected his public image, and the elections campaign of his political party GERB.

When asked whether it was true that Sreten Josic offered to buy out Bulgaria's state debt in order to be released, Borisov said, "That is what the people from the police structures say. And it is true that at that time Bulgaria had a large state debt.

In his interview for "Vreme", Borisov also states he supported Serbia's quick accession to the EU because "Bulgaria could not remain an European island on the Balkans".

Serbian Press Implicates Sofia Mayor Borisov again in Murky Deals
Crime | June 12, 2009, Friday

Serbian criminal, Robert Matanic, the principal suspect in the murder of Croatian journalist Ivo Pukanic has implicated once again Sofia's Mayor Boyko Borisov.

Matanic is the key witness in the trial about the assassinations of Pukanic, owner of the "Nacional" magazine, and its Marketing Director, Niko Franic.

Matanic was arrested in October 2008 and agreed to collaborate with the Serbian authorities, who included him in April in the "witness protection" program.

Matanic pointed at Drug Lord, Sreten Josic, as the chief organizer of Pukanic's murder.

Ivo Pukanic, owner and editor-in-chief of the Croatian weekly "Nacional" and the publication's marketing director Niko Franic were killed by a car bomb on October 23 in downtown Zagreb. Croatian authorities say the person behind the assault had paid EUR 150,000.

According to the Serbian tabloid newspaper "Kurir", Matanic met Sreten Josic, aka Joca Amsterdam in 20001 through Josic's best man Slobodan Durovic and agreed to participate in an arm trafficking deal.

While working for Josic in Bulgaria, Matanic became closer with notorious Bulgarian crime boss - Milcho Bonev aka Bay Mile. Bonev was later killed in an execution style murder along with four bodyguards by Matanic himself.

In Bulgaria, Matanic and his people had fake ID's with Bulgarian names and IDs of employees of Bulgaria's special task teams and the military police.

The fake IDs were provided through Boyko Borisov, former Interior Minister, currently Mayor of Sofia and the top runner to become Bulgaria's next Prime Minister, according to the "Kurir" article.

At the beginning of April Josic made headlines in Bulgaria, telling a Belgrade court he enjoyed the protection of high-ranking officials here, citing the names of the then Interior Chief Secretary Borisov, who was later elected Sofia mayor, and Nikolay Gigov, owner of Lokomotiv Sofia football club.

Borisov firmly denies the allegations and insists that he was personally involved in Josic' arrest in 2002 in downtown Sofia.

Serbian Authorities Offer Drug Lord Josic Witness Protection Deal
Crime | June 30, 2009, Tuesday



Sreten Josic is said to be the man behind the assassinations of Bulgarian mafia bosses Poli Pantev, Konstantin Dimitrov and Ivan Todorov among others. Photo by BGNES Serbian authorities had offered Drug Lord Sreten Josic aka Joca Amsterdam to enter a witness protection program in exchange of information.

Josic will be expected to reveal the names of the perpetrators of high-profile murders for hire in Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia and the Netherlands.

Josic was arrested at the end of March and is charged with organizing the murder of the Croatian journalist Ivo Pukanic. The Serbian law provides for 40 years in jail for similar crimes.

The Belgrade daily "Bliz" writes that the witness protection agreement has been crafted by authorities in the 4 countries. The very first condition is for Josic to reveal the top leaders of the crime group that ordered Pukanic's murder because the investigation has led to the belief there was someone above Josic in the Croatian case.

At the beginning of April Sreten Josic made headlines in Bulgaria, telling a Belgrade court he enjoyed the protection of high-ranking officials here, citing the names of the then Interior Chief Secretary Boyko Borisov, who was later elected Sofia mayor, and Nikolay Gigov, owner of Lokomotiv football club.

Borisov, who is vying to become Bulgaria's next Prime Minister in less than a week, vehemently denied the allegations, accusing the ruling three-party Coalition of crafting a long-term strategy to discredit him.

Alleged Balkan drug lord Sreten Josic is also suspected of masterminding the murders of a number of Bulgarian underworld bosses, who were Josic's partners in the supply and distribution of cocaine.

Josic has been linked to the assassinations of Poli Pantev, who was killed in March 2001 in Aruba, Konstantin Dimitrov a.k.a. Samokovetsa, shot dead in broad daylight in Amsterdam in December 2003 and Ivan Todorov - Doctora, who found his death in February 2006 in downtown Sofia

From The Times July 3, 2009
Underworld figures are freed to run for parliament in Bulgaria
David Charter, Europe Correspondent

Underworld figures facing charges of racketeering, embezzlement and worse have found a novel way to escape jail in Europe’s most corrupt country: they are running for parliament.

Some of Bulgaria’s best-known alleged mobsters have been let out of custody to campaign in the general election on Sunday under a legal loophole that gives immunity from prosecution to MPs and candidates. Those in the running include the Galev brothers — two reputed gangsters accused of running a southwestern town for years through their police and judicial contacts — as well as Ivan Ivanov, one of nine defendants in a fraud case involving €7.5 million (Ł6.5 million) of farm aid from the EU. The case was supposed to be a showpiece trial to prove that judicial reforms were working in a country that was allowed into the EU in 2007, despite deep concerns about judicial independence and its backlog of more than a hundred unsolved contract killings. Instead, it has allowed Bulgaria’s critics to insist that the country was let in before it had been forced to change.

President Parvanov has called on Bulgarians not to vote for any of the freed suspects, so as not to worsen the country’s image at a time when the EU is assessing whether to release the full €11 billion in aid it has promised over the next seven years. “If we now allow people burdened with heavy sins [to enter parliament] this would not only blacken Bulgaria’s image, but would also hurt our perception about democracy profoundly,” he said. “That is why every voter must use their conscience.”

One of the Galev brothers, Plamen, stands a good chance of being elected as an independent MP despite facing charges of racketeering and running an organised crime group. He has been allowed out of jail for three weeks to campaign but could win at least four more years of freedom if he secures a seat in the 240-member parliament.

We ignored corruption, Bulgarian leader admits
Hoping to join him there is Alexander Tomov, a former Vice-President of Bulgaria and ex-president of CSKA Sofia football club, who is awaiting trial on charges of embezzling Ł16 million, and Ivailo Drazhev, the former head of the Chernomorets football club, who is awaiting trial for alleged drunk-driving and causing the deaths of two people in 1998. He also faces embezzlement charges.

Polls predict that the biggest party in the election will be the new right-wing alliance of Boyko Borisov — a karate black belt and former bodyguard to the king of Bulgaria — who became Mayor of Sofia in 2005. Mr Borisov, 50, who cultivates a tough-guy image with his shaven head and fat cigars, is running as the candidate who can clean up Bulgaria.

He has kicked out corrupt civil servants in Sofia and gained popularity with his muscular approach to crime. Opposing him is the Socialist Prime Minister, Sergei Stanishev, 43, who could not be more different, with his cultured upbringing and education, including a London School of Economics degree.

Three suspects in smuggling of two tons of drugs defend themselves with silence

One shipment of cocaine smuggled in April by a ship

V. Z. Cvijić | 19.10.2009

Belgrade - Drug dealers behind shipment of more than 2 tons of cocaine confiscated in Uruguay last week, managed to smuggle in April this year an unknown quantity of drugs by a ship, ‘La Nacion’ daily of Argentina with largest circulation reports.

This daily also reports that the arrested Serbian nationals have been in Argentina since March this year.
‘It is expected for domino effect to follow after arrests in Serbia so that the whole net is disclosed’, a spokesman of a court in Argentina said.
The judge ordered issuance of international wanted list after four Serbs. The police in Uruguay raised protection of individuals that took part in the action pf confiscation of cocaine for fear from revenge. Media in Uruguay and Argentina report that ‘Serbian mafia’ plans revenge. That is why the navy intelligence service has been engaged to take care of security of the policemen participating in the action. Special measures have been introduced in a prison in which one of the arrested suspects is being kept.
Zeljko Vujanovic, Marko Vorotovic and Nikola Pavlovic, suspected to have been involved in smuggling of 2.1 tons of cocaine have been ruled one-month detention by investigation judge of a court in Belgrade. He also decided about launching of an investigation against them.
The three arrested suspects said at hearing that they are not guilty and refused to say anything else so the investigation judge concluded that they were defending themselves with silence.
The police in Uruguay issued wanted list after four Serbian nationals suspected to manage to run away from a yacht that was sailing under English flag when 2.1. tons of cocaine were confiscated.
The investigation bodies in Serbia think that the individual that ordered the cocaine is one of presently most controversial and powerful Montenegrin businessmen. According to information available, Serbian Police and the BIA have been monitoring for months the main suspect and members of his group. The organizer of smuggling is leader of a clan from Montenegro with huge business in Serbia.


http://www.blic.rs/society.php?id=5348

Bulgaria Police Come across "Forgotten" Mafia Boss Wanted in France
http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110407

Crime
Bulgarian Radio Host Bobi Tsankov Shot Dead in Downtown Sofia
Crime | January 5, 2010, Tuesday



Photo by BGNES The man who was shot dead by two unknown attackers in downtown Sofia Tuesday noon is the controversial radio and TV host Bobi Tsankov.

The news has been confirmed by the Sofia City Prosecutor Nikolay Kokinov.

30-year-old Tsankov and two other men were shot at close to the St. Nedelya Cathedral – between the Samuil Str. and the Alexander Stamboliyski Blvd, in front of a branch of CIBank, near a KFC restaurant.

Bobi Tsankov is a known as a controversial journalist. According to various reports in the Bulgarian media, Tsankov was about to follow the steps of Bulgarian mafia stories writer Georgi Stoev by making important revelations about organized crime in Bulgaria. Stoev was shot dead in Sofia in April 2008. Many have already drawn parallels between the murders of Georgi Stoev and Bobi Tsankov.

In November 2003, a bomb went off in a building in the centre of Sofia at the Neofit Rilski and Tsar Asen Str. The bomb was placed in front of the apartment of the parents of the controversial radio anchor Bobi Tsankov. The family of Tsankov was home during the blast but no one was injured.

Tsankov was allegedly linked to the attempted murder on 35-year-old Vanya Chervenkova that filed a claim against him. Chervenkova has brought a lawsuit against Tsankov, claiming that she had paid the radio anchor some BGN 50,000 for advertising. However, Tsankov never broadcasted any ads of Chervenkova's mineral water brand.

In 2004, he was injured in an evident attempt on his life when a hand-made bomb exploded in front of his home. The name of Bobi Tsankov, once host at a local radio, was involved in a suit against him upon charges of blackmailing. According to unofficial information, investigation has spread over probable links with underworld boss Anton Miltenov, dubbed the Beak who was murdered in Sofia in July 2005.

In February 2006, Bobi Tsankov, after shifting from radio to TV anchoring, was arrested Tsankov on fraud charges. Nearly 100 complaints had been filed at the Economic Police by citizens who claim the journalist incurred them financial losses.

In November 2009, Bulgarian Police arrested drugs kingpin ‘Jacket’ (Sako) in Sofia after he chased former radio host Bobi Tsankov through the streets of the capital in his car. ‘Jacket’ is also reported to have made previous threats against Tsankov’s life. Tsankov called the police while being chased.

Tsankov said that he had been chased in his car from the South Park in Sofia to the traffic lights in the City Center from where he managed to escape. He alleged ‘Jacket’ was attempting to stop him writing about another famous mafia boss Metodi Metodiev a.k.a. Meto Ilienski being alive when he was thought by the authorities to be dead.

READ MORE IN THE CRIME SECTION


Attached Image (Click thumbnail to expand)

Sofia Court to Rule on Top Bulgaria Gangster Jail Fate
Crime | January 9, 2010, Saturday


Krasimir Marinov, aka the Big Marguin, has been charged with plotting the murder of controversial radio host Bobi Tsankov. Photo by BGNES The Sofia District Court convenes an emergency session Saturday to decide if alleged top criminal Krasimir Marinov aka the Big Marguin should remain behind bars.

Marinov was detained during a special police operation hours after the murder of controversial journalist, Bobi Tsankov, who was gunned down in broad daylight in a busy boulevard in Sofia Tuesday. Tsankov was known for his ties with the mafia and for publications revealing the dark secrets of the underworld. The Big Marguin was charged Wednesday with plotting and ordering Tsankov’s murder.

The session is expected to be open for the media and the public since the investigators have not used special spying devices.

Marinov’s younger brother Nikolay aka the Little Marguin also faces the same charges but his whereabouts remain unknown. He was found on the day of the murder, around 5 pm near Sofia's “Moscow” hotel, but was released because of a missing arrest warrant. Shortly after that the police have decided they needed Marinov for the investigation, but he was already in the hiding.The main version of the investigation is that the Marguins have ordered the murder to stop Tsankov from disclosing what he knew about them to the prosecution.

The authorities also have the option to wait for next Wednesday to find out it the Little Marguin would appear along with his brother in court since the two are being tried in a different case. Nikolay Marinov is free on BGN 20 000 bond and if he does not show up, he would violate bail and would face detention, a measure confirmed by Sofia’s District Prosecutor, Nikolay Kokinov.


Attached Image (Click thumbnail to expand)

Bulgaria Alleged Crime Boss Little Marguin to Be Tried in Absence
Crime | February 3, 2010, Wednesday


Top crime figure Nikolay Marinov aka the Little Marguin is wanted throughout the country and Europe for the murder of Bulgarian radio host, Bobi Tsankov. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria's alleged top criminal boss Nikolay Marinov aka the Little Marguin, who is still missing, will be tried in his absence.

There is a State-wide and European arrest warrant for the Little Marguin after he failed to appear at the last court session in the case against him, his brother Krasimir aka the Big Marguin, and four other defendants. The Court then changed Marinov's bail to “permanent detention.”

The six are tried for ordering three murders for hire.

Nikolay Marinov is also wanted in connection with the murder of controversial Bulgarian radio host, Bobi Tsankov.

The whereabouts of the Little Marguin are unknown and he went into hiding after the police arrested and charged his brother Krasimir aka the Big Marguin.

Tsankov was gunned down in broad daylight in downtown Sofia on January 5. The Prosecutor says the Marguin brothers ordered his assassination because the journalist was going to provide a strong witness against them.

Serb organized crime laundered billion euros: minister
Aleksandar Vasovic
BELGRADE
Thu May 6, 2010 11:29am EDT

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Organized crime in Serbia has likely laundered about a billion euros over the past decade but the current government will "spare no one" in clamping down on such groups, the interior minister said on Thursday.

World

Estimates that a billion euros had been laundered through the Balkan country were very plausible, Ivica Dacic said in an interview.

"Intelligence data also indicate we are dealing with such figures," added Dacic, who is also first deputy prime minister of the EU applicant country.

The dirty money has affected the development of a country still trying to emerge from the isolation of the 1990s war years and progress toward the European Union.

"Money with no origin appeared in privatization deals. Laws were deficient and we have improved that in cooperation with European bodies," Dacic said.

The European Union has demanded Serbia combat crime, corruption, nepotism and red tape as a condition of moving toward membership of the 27-nation bloc.

It granted Serbia visa-free travel after its authorities, including police, proved their credibility to crack down on crime and to improve control of previously porous borders.

In the last year and a half Serbian police have arrested hundreds on suspicion of involvement in mafia groups. So far this year Serbian authorities have impounded real estate and cars worth about 100 million euros from suspects charged with organized crime and corruption.

Global agencies say the Balkans are a major crossroads for organized crime. Dacic said groups involved in extortions, money laundering, drugs, weapons and human trafficking "have became a menace to society."

"These groups sought backing from politicians and business circles," Dacic said. "Investigations will identify companies privatized with dirty money. We will spare no one."

Last month Serbia's chief prosecutor for organized crime indicted a 20-strong mixed Serbian and Montenegrin group, led by fugitive suspect Darko Saric, on charges of smuggling 2.6 tonnes of cocaine in 2009 from South America.

"Smaller groups processed millions (of euros). Major groups such as Saric's gang -- much, much more," said Dacic, who heads Serbia's junior coalition Socialist Party.

Communist authorities in the 1980s forged ties with organized crime to clamp down on anti-communist emigrants abroad and later used such groups for ethnic cleansing and clandestine operations in the 1991-1999 wars in Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo.

Dozens died in subsequent gangland-style shootouts in Serbia and its ex-federal partner Montenegro in the 1990s, including officials, industrialists and key underworld figures.

Following Slobodan Milosevic's overthrow in 2000, Serbian authorities tried to crack down on organized crime, but dissident secret service officers and criminals in 2003 killed Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.

Recently, Serbian President Boris Tadic warned that the country's prosperity depended on the crackdown on the mafia, which he described as a key threat to the nation of 7.3 million.

Serbian authorities last month have stepped up protection for Tadic and other officials, fearing assassination attempts.

"These threats will be even bigger because our fight against organized crime and corruption will accelerate," Dacic said.