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Fraud and corruption
As regards the fight against fraud and corruption, the amendments to the Penal Code, which entered into force in October 2002, contain provisions for alignment with the Convention on the Protection of the European Communities' Financial Interests (1995). These amendments align the Bulgarian Penal Code with Articles 2 and 3 of the same Protocol on passive and active corruption. Bulgaria makes further efforts to fully align with the EU acquis in the field of criminal law protection of the Communities financial interests. In May 2003, Bulgaria signed the Additional Protocol to the Council of Europe Criminal Law Convention on Corruption. A Coordination Council in the area of combating offences against the financial interests of the European Communities was established in February 2003. The Coordination Council is chaired by the Minster of Interior. Bulgaria is in the process of implementing its National Anti Corruption strategy and Action Plan. Codes of ethics have been elaborated for judges and prosecutors. The Internal Corruption Department in the Ministry of Interior received 264 corruption related complaints involving 293 officials in 2002. The authorities completed the investigations concerning 307 officials in 2003. Complaints against 135 officials were not sustained. The reports against 172 officials were confirmed and resulted in 73 disciplinary measures (31 summary dismissals and 42 otherwise disciplined) and 99 administrative measures (14 officials dismissed for incompetence, 35 discharged from office, 17 reappointed to other positions, 33 referred for secondary psychological tests at the Psychology Institute of the Ministry of Interior pending results). Of the 172 officials who were subject to action in 2003, 49 are subject to prosecution and 6 officials are in custody.
Administrative capacity has been further strengthened at local level. Since October 2002, the number of specialized officials in the area of corruption has increased by 24 and now stands at 58 in the 28 regional units for combating organized crime. This brings the total number of specialized official to 80. In January 2003 the official web site of the National Police Service was launched where citizens can obtain information and file complaints. Bulgaria has taken measures aimed at complying with Council Framework Decisions on the protection of the euro against counterfeiting. Bulgaria should further align its legislation in this area, especially with a view to reinforcing criminal sanctions, and ensuring full implementation of this acquis.
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