Prosecutor’s office charges two more people over Pernik water crisis

Prosecutor’s office on January 27 pressed new allegations concerning the water crisis in the town of Pernik. The former manager of the water company in the city Ivan Vitanov and the former deputy mayor of Pernik - Sevdalina Kovacheva, were detained. So far, charges have been pressed against the former Minister of Environment and Water, Neno Dimov, who is still in custody.

According to the Prosecutor's office, the mismanagement of the water supply and sewerage system in Pernik has led to losses for the city of over BGN 11 million due to leaks in the water supply system of the city. The first inspection by the Ministry of Regional Development showed that it was not a matter of mismanagement, now the prosecutor's office has found other evidence.

Siika Mileva, Spokesperson of the Chief Prosecutor: In relation to the former manager of the Water Supply Company in Pernik, charges were pressed for deliberate mismanagement and concluding unprofitable deal.The acting mayor of Pernik municipality has been charged with a criminal offense of official misconduct.

With respect to the two detainees, the supervising prosecutor ordered detention within 72 hours, pending his assessment of whether to submit a request to the Specialized Criminal Court for their remand.

Data from the European Space Agency clearly shows that in just a year the water levels in the Studena Dam have dropped. Today, most of the reservoir has dried up, leaving just over a metre before reaching the dead volume.