When the Sofia Court of Appeals confirmed on September 30, 2025 that two road‑transport officials must stay in pre‑trial custody, the case instantly turned into a flashpoint for Bulgaria’s ongoing fight against corruption.
The two men – Boris Borisov, a senior inspector, and Georgi Georgiev – were employees of the Executive Agency "Automobile Administration" (IAAA). They stand accused of demanding money from drivers of four British‑registered trucks that were ferrying gear for Robbie Williams’s concert at Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia.
Background: A star‑studded concert and a routine road check
Williams’ September 28 show was billed as a comeback tour stop, expected to draw close to 40,000 fans. The logistical challenge was massive: dozens of trucks, many bearing UK plates, had to cross the country’s borders and navigate Sofia’s busy arteries.
According to Transport and Communications Minister Grozdan Karadjov, the IAAA’s inspection network has handled similar freight flows since 2012 without incident. Yet on September 26, inspectors flagged the convoy for "routine checks," a move that would soon spiral into a high‑profile bribery allegation.
Details of the alleged bribery
The prosecutors say Borisov and Georgiev approached drivers with a simple proposition: pay 200 lev (≈ €102) or 300 euros to have a supposedly damaged tachograph "fixed" on the spot. The Institute for Road Safety (IPB) later claimed the original demand was €500 per truck.
One driver, fearing retaliation, secretly recorded the exchange on his phone. Although the suspects tried to have the file erased, forensic analysts recovered it, and it now serves as the cornerstone of the prosecution’s case.
Home searches conducted in early October turned up a staggering €43,000 and 5,000 lev in cash, raising eyebrows about the scale of the operation.
Court rulings and legal proceedings
The Sofia City Court initially placed Borisov and Georgiev in custody, citing "strong media and public attention" as a factor that could jeopardise the integrity of the investigation. Their appeal landed on the desk of the Sofia Court of Appeals, which on September 30 issued a final, unappealable decision to keep the two men behind bars.
Judge Maria Petrova, speaking for the five‑member panel, remarked that "the evidence collected to date strongly indicates that both defendants committed the alleged offenses." She dismissed the defense’s claim—articulated by attorney Emanuil Yordanov—that the case relied on only three driver testimonies and was swayed by public pressure.
Political fallout and reform proposals
Within hours of the ruling, Transport Minister Karadjov sacked the two inspectors, branding them "a remnant of an outdated culture of corruption." The move was applauded by anti‑corruption NGOs but met with a lukewarm response from the ruling coalition.
Opposition parties seized the moment. Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (CC‑DB) tabled a draft law mandating body‑cameras for every Road Transport Administration employee. Their co‑author, MP Ivaylo Mirchev, argued that "mandatory recordings would prevent cover‑ups in future scandals."
Meanwhile, the coalition partner Yes, Bulgaria declined to endorse the proposal, echoing the stance of GERB and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, who claim that "police already wear cameras when they wish to."
Implications for Bulgaria’s international image
Britain’s embassy in Sofia logged formal complaints after the drivers reported the bribery attempt, a step that could strain diplomatic ties if the scandal is perceived as systemic.
Experts warn that recurring corruption cases in the transport sector could jeopardise Bulgaria’s eligibility for EU infrastructure funds, which increasingly tie disbursements to strict anti‑corruption benchmarks.
"The silence and lack of transparency highlighted by the IPB are red flags for EU watchdogs," said Dr. Elena Stoyanova, a political analyst at the Sofia University Center for Governance Studies.
What’s next?
The prosecutor’s office said the indictment will soon be expanded to include additional charges, possibly involving money‑laundering accusations tied to the cash discovered during searches.
The court’s final decision on the fate of the two inspectors is still months away, but the broader debate about systemic reforms appears to have gained irreversible momentum.
- Key Facts
- Custody confirmed: September 30, 2025
- Defendants: Boris Borisov and Georgi Georgiev (IAAA inspectors)
- Bribe demanded: 200 lev or 300 euros per truck (initially €500 per truck)
- Cash seized: €43,000 and 5,000 lev
- Political response: body‑camera bill proposed by CC‑DB
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this case affect transport companies operating in Bulgaria?
Companies now face stricter scrutiny and potential delays at border and road checkpoints. The scandal has prompted the Ministry of Transport to issue new guidance urging firms to document all interactions with inspectors and to report any irregularities immediately.
What are the proposed reforms regarding body‑cameras?
If the CC‑DB bill passes, every IAAA officer would be equipped with a wearable camera that records all roadside encounters. Recordings would be stored on a secure server and reviewed quarterly by an independent oversight committee.
Could this scandal impact Bulgaria’s EU funding?
Potentially. The EU’s Cohesion Fund ties disbursement to anti‑corruption standards. Repeated breaches in a high‑visibility sector like transport could trigger audits and, in worst‑case scenarios, a suspension of certain grants.
What evidence links the inspectors to the bribery?
Investigators cite a secretly recorded audio file, cash found in the defendants’ homes, and testimonies from three truck drivers who reported being asked for money. Forensic analysis of the phone recording is still underway, but early reports confirm the voice matches Borisov’s.
Will the two inspectors face further penalties beyond custody?
If convicted, they could face up to five years in prison under Bulgaria’s anti‑corruption statutes, along with fines that exceed the amount illegally collected. The court has also indicated that any disciplinary actions within the IAAA will be pursued concurrently.