Balkan wikileaks uncovers construction project on Bulgarian nature reserve

The Balkan version of the notorious whistle-blower Wikileaks, Bivol.bg, has uncovered an illegal real-estate project at a nature reserve on the Black Sea.

“Bulgaria’s Ministry of Infrastructure has ordered the cessation of construction activities in a site in the Ropotamo nature reserve near the Black Sea,” Bulgarian news agency novinite.com reported March 25.

The construction company, which is building a restaurant on the river near the Primorska holiday resort, does not reportedly have the required permits for the realization of the project.

Furthermore, it is alleged that the company is tied with local criminal Hristoforos A, who is wanted by police for drug related activities.

This is the latest scandal concerning construction in a restricted area. Bulgaria were outraged when the “Dunes Gate” scandal came to light at the end of 2012. It centered on the piece-by-piece acquisition of protected land near the town of Nessebar on the Black Sea coast.

Due to a legal loophole some 29 acres of sand dunes, protected by Natura 2000, were brought up by various parties without a tender and for a very low price.