UK sanctions high profile Bulgarian nationals for corruption: Foreign Office

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) – The UK imposed sanctions on three Bulgarian nationals because of corruption, the Foreign Office said Friday.

The British government said it imposed sanctions on former MP Delyan Peevski, former national security official Ilko Zhelyazkov and Vasil Bozhkov, who is "reportedly Bulgaria’s richest man."

The sanctions are targeting the individuals for "involving in offences including abuse of public institution funds," it said in a statement.

The individuals were also handed travel bans and asset freezes as part of the UK’s Global Anti-Corruption sanctions regime.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said the UK is acting in close coordination with the US to support Bulgaria tackle corruption.

"Those sanctioned have deprived the people of Bulgaria of resources crucial to its economic and social development. Money that should have been used to fix roads, build hospitals and support economic growth has instead ended up in the pockets of corrupt individuals," he added.