site.btaFinance Minister: Russian Embassy's Accounts Are Not Frozen

Finance Minister Assen Vassilev denied allegations by the opposition that the accounts of the Russian Embassy in Sofia have been frozen. He said that only one transfer to the Embassy was subject to the European Commission's sanctions, but the Russian side has asked for a derogation and the government is now consulting Brussels on the matter.

Vassilev was speaking to the press on the matter following a statement by the floor leader of the formerly power-sharing There Is Such a People, Toshko Yordanov, alleging that the Finance Ministry "had frozen the Russian Embassy's money in Bulgaria". He warned that it would cause damage to Bulgarian companies which work on the Russian market.

"There is a bank transfer to the Russian Embassy which clearly falls within the scope of the EC sanctions. The Embassy has asked for a derogation - meaning that Bulgaria would undo the sanctions for this specific transfer. The matter is currently being discussed with the European Commission and we will take the respective action when we have their opinion," said Vassilev.

The said bank transfer totaled USD 890,000 and the Embassy said it was for payment of wages to the embassy staff.