Malinov affirmed his commitment to assist in the completion of the public procurement investigation related to new‌ drilling at the Chiren​ gas storage facility.

Earlier reports indicated that Malinov did not appear at the European Prosecutor’s Office in Bulgaria on March 24, after being summoned regarding the gas storage case. His lawyer⁣ stated⁤ he was hospitalized.

During a press conference, Malinov explained that he had previously testified twice as a witness in the case. His absence ⁢on march 24 was ⁤due to hospitalization on March 21 for a pre-existing health issue.

According to ⁤Malinov, representatives from​ the European Attorney General’s office, led by Laura Kovesi, initiated⁣ a⁢ review at Bulgartransgaz last summer and seized documentation⁢ related to the Chiren gas storage​ facility. He stated that he and ⁤his employees are cooperating with the ⁢investigation.

Malinov asserted⁢ that the company has not committed any ‌violations. ‍He added that all funds paid under the terminated contract with Glavbolgarstroy were returned, and European funds allocated to the project remained untouched. He clarified that the contract’s ⁤termination was at the contractor’s request, a decision Bulgartransgaz agreed ⁢to, resulting in ⁢cost savings for the ​contractor.

Motivation to Continue⁣ Project

Malinov stated that ⁤he had never experienced pressure regarding public⁣ procurement⁢ at Bulgartransgaz. ‍He noted that since ⁤becoming director⁤ in 2018, with ⁢a ⁣brief interruption while serving⁣ as energy minister, he has maintained positive relationships with all political ‍parties without relying on any specific support. Malinov believes the scrutiny is an attempt to derail the gas storage‌ expansion, which has only strengthened‌ his resolve‌ to continue.

The press conference was convened to address his absence from ⁤the European Prosecutor’s⁤ Office on March ⁤24. Meanwhile,Bulgarian European Prosecutor Teodora Georgieva,who was recently ‌removed from her post,stated she​ had​ recused herself from the Chiren case ⁤due to‌ perceived ‌threats related to the investigation.

The European Prosecutor’s office ⁣has ‌not specified the reason for the investigation into Georgieva. Though, speculation suggests it is indeed related to⁢ leaked video footage‌ purportedly from the office of Petio⁤ Petrov, a former official.

Georgieva told ​media outlets upon her‍ removal that she felt ‍ threatened by Mr. Peevski, who is alleged⁢ by ‌the removed subcontractors ⁢as a person who exerts⁣ pressure ⁣on them to upload the margin of the profit of⁤ the contracting company and to fulfill the project at an unbearably low prices.

She claimed witnesses testified that Delyan Peevski demanded⁢ 20 million BGN from subcontractors and pressured them to except lower payments for their work.

Due​ to ⁣my threats⁤ and​ warnings that I⁤ have received that if ​I have been charged with the⁢ Minister⁤ of Energy, records and compromises in the media will⁤ be‍ released, ‌I have been taken to this case and⁢ my drain is respected.

In early ​march,‌ Georgieva ‌stated in an interview that significant violations ⁢had been identified in the Chiren ‍project.

Prior Testimony

Malinov addressed ⁤accusations that he avoided appearing before the European Prosecutor’s Office on March 24 by claiming hospitalization. he​ explained that he was admitted to‌ the hospital three days prior due to‌ a recurring health issue. His lawyer provided ⁣official documentation to the European Prosecutor’s Office. He was discharged from the hospital on March 27 but terminated his leave​ to return to work. I’m here, he stated, addressing concerns that he might flee the country.

He ​clarified that ⁣he had testified twice in the case,‍ once in October 2024 and again in February ⁢2025. He stated that after becoming director of Bulgartransgaz,following the appointment of Energy Minister Zhecho ⁤Stankov,he ​provided additional facts to EU ⁣prosecutors after a search in August. The contract with Glavbolgarstroy was⁤ later terminated.The investigation was initiated ⁢based on a report that a change in drilling technology would ⁣save 80 to 90⁤ million BGN.

There are no‌ violations and crimes committed to the conduct ​and agreement of this public⁢ procurement, Malinov stated. He maintained ‌that all actions were conducted​ according to company regulations, with decisions approved by the management and supervisory councils of ⁤Bulgartransgaz, and also the Council of Ministers and the Energy Minister. He also ​noted that the State Financial Control agency ⁤reviewed the procurement process and ​found ‌no‍ irregularities.

Increased Storage capacity

Malinov noted that Glavbolgarstroy returned all advance payments ‍and ‍other funds under the terminated contract last October. These‌ payments did not originate from the 78 million EUR‌ provided by the European environment and Climate, which is why the European Prosecutor’s ‌Office became involved.

The project aims to ⁢increase the gas unit’s capacity from 550 million cubic meters to 1 billion ​cubic ⁤meters. Two phases ‌are complete: the​ gas pipeline connecting Chiren ​to⁣ the Bulgartransgaz gas⁢ transmission network‌ was commissioned on Nov. 22,2023,and ‍the new compressor⁣ and measuring stations are operational as of ‍March ‌26. ‌The storage capacity will reach 650 million cubic meters by May 1, the start of the gas season. The outcome of the new public procurement for three‌ plus three wells, involving three ⁤consortiums including U.S. companies, will be known by April ‍11.‍ This shows confidence in Bulgartransgaz ⁢and in the implementation of the project, Malinov said.

European Commission Support

Malinov expressed confusion over the ‍scrutiny ​he faces in Bulgaria, given the european Commission’s support for the new public procurement for wells. On March 13, an additional agreement was signed, preserving the 78 million EUR in European funding and extending the deadline ‍for it’s use until the end of 2027.

It’s bewildering how, on the one hand, the EC ⁣supports us, and on the other… Malinov commented. But ⁣I will continue the ‍project, despite and nonetheless of my well-wishers and opponents. I have been in BTG since 2010,and in state structures for 20 years. During this period I⁤ have encountered a lot of attacks, but no one who​ has⁢ contributed to BTG can take ⁢it away and what is happening to me to continue. He reiterated‌ that ‌he does not intend to​ resign.

Malinov​ denied any pressure in the selection of the contractor and stated he⁢ was ⁢unaware of the 20 million BGN allegedly requested by Peevski from subcontractors. He asserted that ‌his appointment was not politically motivated and‌ that no political force or leader had exerted pressure‌ on him.

I will not‍ believe that there are attacks against the project, he said, ‍but suggested that the aim is to disrupt the gas storage expansion, which ⁢would contribute‌ to diversifying gas ​trade⁢ in the region. The project ‌has been underway for a long time, and after its opening in 2022, with the option to ⁣double the capacity by the end of 2025, the current issues arose, with completion now expected by the end of 2027.

Conflict of Interest allegations

Malinov addressed allegations that his return to‍ Bulgartransgaz after serving as Minister of Energy constituted ⁣a conflict of interest.

The “We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria” party raised concerns in ⁢January with the ​Anti-Corruption Committee and the European Prosecutor’s Office.Malinov stated that, as a lawyer, he is aware of the legal requirements and cited a 2017 decision by the Anti-Corruption Committee in a ⁤similar case, stating that the one-year restriction on working in the same field applies to private companies, not state-owned entities.He‌ questioned how information he ​received as energy minister could harm the state’s interest,given that BTG is a state-owned ‌company. He noted that the energy regulator approved his reappointment at BTG.

When asked ⁢if​ he had political‌ support for his position, he replied, I never needed political support.