Fri, Feb 10 2012

Bulgaria's red cross head detained

Mon, Feb 13 2006 11:00 CET

byStaff Reporter

961 Views

GrigorovTHE head of the Bulgarian Red Cross Organisation (BRC), Hristo Grigorov, was arrested on February 3 on charges of diverting foreign humanitarian aid deliveries to commercial purposes. On January 6, Sofia city court ordered Grigorov's indefinite custody and he remained under arrest. According to allegations, a circle of companies united by Hristo Grigorov imported goods by declaring them as donations for the BRC, thus evading the payment of taxes. The companies allegedly declared to customs that the foods, garments and medicines were meant for handicapped and elderly people. Donations to the BRC are tax-free, and the owners of these companies are presumed to have collected serious sums of money running into of millions of leva.

There have been reports that donations, meant for the Chief Mufti's Office, have gone missing. The institution expected to receive tents, blankets, garments and food, but the aid didn't arrive. It is alleged that the garments were sold on commodity markets and that the food was sold at lower than the market prices in stores run by Grigorov's associates. Grigorov denied all accusations and declared hunger strike in protest. The BRC issued a statement that they would wait until the investigation was over before making a decision concerning their support for Grigorov.

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