GEORGI Getov, head of the National Police Service Directorate department dealing with crimes related to historical and cultural artifacts, asked to be moved to the Border Police.
This was said by Vassil Vassilev, head of the National Police Directorate, after reports in the Bulgarian-language media that Getov was fired. It was alleged he was involved in illegal exports of artifacts.
Vassilev said that Getov's motives were personal and he was now in charge of a border police section.
Minister of Interior Georgi Petkanov, according to Vassilev, had signed the authorisation for Getov's transfer.
On July 4, Vassilev said that he had learnt about accusations against Getov in the media.
Darik Radio alleged that Getov had been involved in a contraband channel for the export of antiques. Interior Ministry chief secretary Boiko Borissov said the allegations were untrue.
According to Darik, Getov was the head of the three main channels for the illegal export of antiques, which have been operating in the past few years.
There were further allegations in the media that prosecutors and former State Security officers and National Service for Combatting Organised Crime's officers had also been involved in the illegal activities.
According to Darik, the illegal chain was organised with the help of archeology museum directors in various parts of the country.
Last September Getov was involved in high-profile arrests related to illegal exports of artifacts.
"Police believe that about 200 000 to 300 000 people in Bulgaria are involved in illegal trading in architectural and historical artefacts," Getov said last September.
This huge number falls into three groups: the treasure hunters, who dig out and track down artifacts across the country; the middle dealers, who buy directly from the treasure hunters; and the big dealers, who number 20 to 30 at the most and who run the smuggling rings and work with international collectors.
Getov said at the time that police aimed at breaking each link in the chain.
Some of the stolen antiques are smuggled abroad and auctioned off in the UK, Germany, the US, Switzerland and Greece.
- Staff Reporter
This was said by Vassil Vassilev, head of the National Police Directorate, after reports in the Bulgarian-language media that Getov was fired. It was alleged he was involved in illegal exports of artifacts.
Vassilev said that Getov's motives were personal and he was now in charge of a border police section.
Minister of Interior Georgi Petkanov, according to Vassilev, had signed the authorisation for Getov's transfer.
On July 4, Vassilev said that he had learnt about accusations against Getov in the media.
Darik Radio alleged that Getov had been involved in a contraband channel for the export of antiques. Interior Ministry chief secretary Boiko Borissov said the allegations were untrue.
According to Darik, Getov was the head of the three main channels for the illegal export of antiques, which have been operating in the past few years.
There were further allegations in the media that prosecutors and former State Security officers and National Service for Combatting Organised Crime's officers had also been involved in the illegal activities.
According to Darik, the illegal chain was organised with the help of archeology museum directors in various parts of the country.
Last September Getov was involved in high-profile arrests related to illegal exports of artifacts.
"Police believe that about 200 000 to 300 000 people in Bulgaria are involved in illegal trading in architectural and historical artefacts," Getov said last September.
This huge number falls into three groups: the treasure hunters, who dig out and track down artifacts across the country; the middle dealers, who buy directly from the treasure hunters; and the big dealers, who number 20 to 30 at the most and who run the smuggling rings and work with international collectors.
Getov said at the time that police aimed at breaking each link in the chain.
Some of the stolen antiques are smuggled abroad and auctioned off in the UK, Germany, the US, Switzerland and Greece.
- Staff Reporter
