A FULL 13 years after communism ended, the Government still cannot figure out what to do about organised crime. Other than a lot of hand wringing and lip service, nothing much is done at all.
If the Government is so serious about fighting the mafia, there are a few basic questions to ask. First, where is one more likely to run into a mafia thug in Bulgaria-jail or a night club? How many mafia criminals are in jail? Are you more likely to meet a mafia big shot or someone that has stolen 20 leva worth of salami in prison? And what have the police and judicial system been doing since 1990?
We've heard politicians tell us that there is no danger to Bulgarians from the mafia. Oh, really? Explain that to store owners that refused to buy protection "insurance" just a few years ago. Explain that to reporters that have acid thrown in their faces. Explain that to people losing their businesses to mafia groupings. Tell that to farmers forced to pay "protection" money in order to sell their products.
Explain that to pensioners who can not afford to pay for food or heating bills this winter. Just who was it that stole millions from the Bulgarian people from 1990-97? More importantly, what was done about it? Nothing.
The fact is that the Government is more afraid of the mafia than vice versa. Police and judges fear taking any serious action against mafia kingpins.
Everyone knows who holds real power in Bulgaria regardless of who thinks they are running the country. Everyone also seems to know what happened to all of the money the Government used to have in the 1990s too. Except for the Government, that is.
As long as this situation exists, Bulgarians will not respect any government they have, much less have any respect internationally. Any authority or respect the Government has is undermined by uncontrolled actions of professional crime. Bulgarians will remain cynical and unsatisfied of their rulers until something is done.
What does it say when the Government sits by impotently when a star witness is gunned down in broad daylight on the Bulgarian Supreme Court steps? What do people think about a Government that lets mafia criminals wander around free while jailing poor people for theft? After all, who has more power and money? The Government or the mafia?
How many years have the thugs that stole Bulgaria's money and future lived in luxury and safety here or in Western Europe?
If the Government truly is serious about breaking the back of organised crime in Bulgaria, several steps could be taken.
Everyone, except the Bulgarian Government, seems to know where most wealthy people got their riches from during 1990-97. Why not check the rolls of the Durzhavna Sigurnost (State Security) from the early 1990s and see where these people are employed now? Make them account for their income.
Why not make people with over a certain income prove they legally earned their income? Why not audit wealthy firms and see where their capital did come from in the early 90s? Why are not the police harassing well-known mafia figures and making their lives a living hell? And why not send the Bulgarian intelligence service to get back mafia big shots living in impunity in Western Europe that are thumbing their noses at the Bulgarian people?
Most importantly, why has it been 13 years with virtually nothing done? Could this mean some people have a vested interest in allowing the mafia to grow and prosper in relative peace?
When will any Bulgarian Government stop turning a blind eye to the mafia and actually do something about the problem? Truly, what do innocent politicians with no connections or history with organised crime have to fear from taking action? And why would innocent businessmen fear audits by the Government?
As long as the current situation remains with mafia turf wars endemic in Bulgaria, the Government will have no real authority in the eyes of anyone. If a nation can't control organised crime, how can they be expected to join the free family of nations?
Unfortunately, the result of this situation is that no one really does respect the law in Bulgaria. How can any ordinary citizens respect it if the mafia literally gets away with murder, violence, theft and extortion time and time again? Why obey the law if the mafia doesn't?
The sooner serious and public action is taken against organised crime, the better. Only after Bulgarian jails are full of these thugs will Bulgaria truly be able to move on to a better future. A future without cynicism and hopelessness and with something for the average Bulgarian citizen. Bulgaria deserves better.
Cordially,
- Keith W. Brown
If the Government is so serious about fighting the mafia, there are a few basic questions to ask. First, where is one more likely to run into a mafia thug in Bulgaria-jail or a night club? How many mafia criminals are in jail? Are you more likely to meet a mafia big shot or someone that has stolen 20 leva worth of salami in prison? And what have the police and judicial system been doing since 1990?
We've heard politicians tell us that there is no danger to Bulgarians from the mafia. Oh, really? Explain that to store owners that refused to buy protection "insurance" just a few years ago. Explain that to reporters that have acid thrown in their faces. Explain that to people losing their businesses to mafia groupings. Tell that to farmers forced to pay "protection" money in order to sell their products.
Explain that to pensioners who can not afford to pay for food or heating bills this winter. Just who was it that stole millions from the Bulgarian people from 1990-97? More importantly, what was done about it? Nothing.
The fact is that the Government is more afraid of the mafia than vice versa. Police and judges fear taking any serious action against mafia kingpins.
Everyone knows who holds real power in Bulgaria regardless of who thinks they are running the country. Everyone also seems to know what happened to all of the money the Government used to have in the 1990s too. Except for the Government, that is.
As long as this situation exists, Bulgarians will not respect any government they have, much less have any respect internationally. Any authority or respect the Government has is undermined by uncontrolled actions of professional crime. Bulgarians will remain cynical and unsatisfied of their rulers until something is done.
What does it say when the Government sits by impotently when a star witness is gunned down in broad daylight on the Bulgarian Supreme Court steps? What do people think about a Government that lets mafia criminals wander around free while jailing poor people for theft? After all, who has more power and money? The Government or the mafia?
How many years have the thugs that stole Bulgaria's money and future lived in luxury and safety here or in Western Europe?
If the Government truly is serious about breaking the back of organised crime in Bulgaria, several steps could be taken.
Everyone, except the Bulgarian Government, seems to know where most wealthy people got their riches from during 1990-97. Why not check the rolls of the Durzhavna Sigurnost (State Security) from the early 1990s and see where these people are employed now? Make them account for their income.
Why not make people with over a certain income prove they legally earned their income? Why not audit wealthy firms and see where their capital did come from in the early 90s? Why are not the police harassing well-known mafia figures and making their lives a living hell? And why not send the Bulgarian intelligence service to get back mafia big shots living in impunity in Western Europe that are thumbing their noses at the Bulgarian people?
Most importantly, why has it been 13 years with virtually nothing done? Could this mean some people have a vested interest in allowing the mafia to grow and prosper in relative peace?
When will any Bulgarian Government stop turning a blind eye to the mafia and actually do something about the problem? Truly, what do innocent politicians with no connections or history with organised crime have to fear from taking action? And why would innocent businessmen fear audits by the Government?
As long as the current situation remains with mafia turf wars endemic in Bulgaria, the Government will have no real authority in the eyes of anyone. If a nation can't control organised crime, how can they be expected to join the free family of nations?
Unfortunately, the result of this situation is that no one really does respect the law in Bulgaria. How can any ordinary citizens respect it if the mafia literally gets away with murder, violence, theft and extortion time and time again? Why obey the law if the mafia doesn't?
The sooner serious and public action is taken against organised crime, the better. Only after Bulgarian jails are full of these thugs will Bulgaria truly be able to move on to a better future. A future without cynicism and hopelessness and with something for the average Bulgarian citizen. Bulgaria deserves better.
Cordially,
- Keith W. Brown
