Bulgaria's entire anti-corruption archive disappears without a trace

An unprecedented event in Bulgarian history has occurred: an entire archive related to the fight against high-level corruption has completely vanished. This has raised serious concerns in a country already familiar with similar scandals. Alexander Kashumov from the Access to Information Program stated that a new archive may have been created, containing cases and reports from legitimate institutions that could be used for pressure and blackmail. He lamented that this seems to be a recurring practice in the country, reminiscent of the disappearance of the State Security archive in the past.

The loss of the archive deals a heavy blow to Bulgaria's anti-corruption efforts. Experts believe that this will hinder ongoing investigations and erode public trust. Kashumov highlighted that such practices have become a pattern, with the State Security archive having similarly vanished years ago. The incident calls into question the government's commitment to transparency and accountability.

Authorities have yet to make an official statement, while opposition parties plan to bring the issue to parliament. Civil society organizations are demanding an independent investigation. This event could also negatively affect Bulgaria's track record in fighting corruption, especially in the context of its European Union membership.

Experts warn that the creation of a new archive could give the current government a powerful tool. There are widespread fears that this new archive could be used against political opponents or dissidents. Kashumov emphasized that such practices pose a serious threat to democracy and have been observed in Bulgaria before.

In conclusion, this incident marks a critical juncture for anti-corruption and the rule of law in Bulgaria. The public expects swift and transparent action from the authorities. Failure to do so could further damage the country's international reputation and internal stability.