The Agriculture Ministry already undertook measures to recover the SAPARD funds that were diverted in a fund drainage scheme, Agriculture Minister Nihat Kabil said.

A day ago the Interior Ministry released information that it prevented an attempt for the drainage of 7.5 million euro, Novinar newspaper reported. Bulgarians and foreigners took part in the scheme. Police detained 12 people.

The ministry still lacks evidence that employees of the SAPARD agency are involved in the scheme, said Kabil. In case such information surfaced, all legal measures will be used against them, he said.

Investigators are already examining information and documents submitted for the obtaining of SAPARD funds.

Bulgaria’s agriculture fund examined projects after SAPARD provided financial resources, Novinar reported. Now it has to return funds back to Brussels.

The scheme revolved around projects for the purchase of new equipments. Members of the group purchased old machines and in this manner managed to divert significant amount of money.