Ex-Bulgaria Leader Likely to Be Charged

Ousted Communist leader Todor Zhivkov is likely to face charges of abuse of power, fraud and violating human rights, a member of a parliamentary commission said today.

The inquiry might stop short, however, of unearthing irregularities by Communists still in power, said Petar Beron, a commission member and pro-democracy activist.

“It’s not an easy job,” Beron said, because some of Zhivkov’s associates “are still very much at large.”

He said the commission is also looking into “the drainage of public money” by Zhivkov, the hard-liner who ruled Bulgaria for 35 years until his ouster Nov. 10.

Beron said Zhivkov had siphoned millions from state-run foundations promoting arts and education, to help build more than 30 villas and luxurious residences around the country.

Lyuben Kolishev, a leader of the commission, said Tuesday that enough evidence had already been gathered on Zhivkov to open criminal proceedings on charges of embezzlement of state funds.

Kolishev said he has evidence that Zhivkov had Swiss bank accounts. He gave no further details.

Beron said the government requested Swiss authorities to open the accounts but noted this would only be agreed to once a legal case was opened for crimes that would also be punishable under Swiss law.

Beron said Zhivkov will be charged and then brought to trial after the commission completes its investigation, probably by the end of January.