Delyan Peevski

Delyan Slavchev Peevski (Bulgarian: Делян Славчев Пеевски [dɛˈʎan ˈpɛɛfski]; born 27 July 1980) is a Bulgarian politician, oligarch,[2][3][4][5] entrepreneur and media mogul. He served as MP from the parliamentary group of the DPS in the 41st, 42nd, 43r, 44th, 47th and 48th National Assembly of Bulgaria and is currently serving as MP and Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Group of DPS in the 49th National Assembly.[6]

In this Bulgarian name, the patronymic is Slavchev and the family name is Peevski.
Delyan Peevski
Personal details
Born (1980-07-27) 27 July 1980
Sofia, PR Bulgaria
Political partyDPS (since 2009)
Other political
affiliations		NDSV (2001–2009)
Domestic partnerTsvetelina Yaneva
Children2[1]
OccupationMember of Parliament

In June 2021 the United States Department of the Treasury designated Peevski, the public official Ilko Zhelyazkov and the Bulgarian oligarch Vasil Bozhkov, along with 64 entities owned and controlled by Bojkov and Peevski, for their roles in public corruption, pursuant to Executive Order 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.[7][8] In August 2021 a US law firm representing Peevski has filed a request before the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Affairs OFAC to remove the sanctions against their client[9][10]

Education

Peevski graduated from 119 SOU in Sofia in 1998 and completed his legal studies at the South-West University in 2003. His university diploma is a subject of a dispute for authenticity.[11]

Political career

In 2001, Peevski joined the National Movement Simeon II (NMSII). In 2007, he was fired as a deputy minister during the Socialist-led government in a corruption scandal. He was investigated, but the investigation was dropped and he was given his job back.[12]

In June 2013, Peevski was elected President of the State Agency for National Security, with the votes of 116 MPs.[13] Thousands of Bulgarians gathered in front of government headquarters in Sofia to protest against the oligarch's appointment, chanting "Mafia" and "resign."[12] Under the pressure of the protests against the Oresharski cabinet that followed, Parliament unanimously revised its decision later the same month.[14] After a couple of months of lack of clarity whether under these conditions Peevski was still considered an MP or not, eventually in December 2013 the Constitutional Court decided that he still was an MP.[15]

In May 2014, Peevski was elected to the European Parliament on the MRF ticket,[16] but immediately thereafter decided to give up his seat. He explained that his motivation to participate in the European elections, while not taking his seat, had been to restore his reputation.[17][18]

In mid June 2014, three people were arrested due to their involvement in an alleged murder plot against Peevski, but they were eventually released because of a lack of sufficient evidence.[19][20]

According to an article, published in Der Spiegel "Peevski personifies the oligarchic system of clientelism like no other".[21]

Parliamentary activity

As a member of the Bulgarian National Assembly he moved together with another two MPs from the parliamentary group of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms - Yordan Tsonev and Hamid Hamid, amendments to the Bank Insolvency Act. The amendments, which are related to Corpbank (KTB), were conclusively adopted in February, 2018, Bulgarian News Agency reported. According to the movers' reasons, the idea of the amendments is to establish an effective mechanism for replenishing a bankrupt bank's bankruptcy estate and to suppress schemes for plundering assets purchased directly or indirectly on money originating from such a bank.[22]

The president of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev has put a veto on the amendments.[23] His veto was later overturned by the MPs and the amendments were conclusively adopted by the Parliament on 7 March 2018.[24]

Those were second amendments, filed by Peevski and his colleagues from the Parliamentary group of MRF, with reference to the so-called "KTB case" and unveiling the truth about the embezzlement of the bank by its majority shareholder Tzvetan Vassilev. In 2016 the MP together with two more members of the same parliamentary group - Yordan Tzonev and the former minister of finances Peter Chobanov, moved urgent amendment to the Bank Insolvency Act in order to allow the publicizing of the report of AlixPartners Services UK LLP, which was contracted to trace and take action for the preservation and recovery of the assets of the failed Corporate Commercial Bank (KTB), Bulgarian News Agency reported.[25] After the amendments were adopted, the report was translated in Bulgarian and published in May, 2016. According to the document, the audit confirmed that the bank functioned as a financial pyramid and was siphoned off through large loans to companies related to the majority shareholder Tzvetan Vassilev. More than half of the loans at the value of 2,5 billion BGN were given to companies related to Vassilev. The report also shows that the majority shareholder also used the bank for "personal transactions".[26]

On 4th of July, 2018 the National Assembly approved in principle other amendments, moved by Peevski and his colleagues Yordan Tzonev, Hamid Hamid and Velislava Krusteva, Bulgarian News Agency reported.[27] The new bill is on the disclosure of real owners and financing of media organizations. Authors stated that the amendments aim to bring full transparency on the media sector now having problems with online media outlets, whose owners and financing are unknown. And to show whether or not this is a monopolist market. Yet, the opponents of the amendments stated that the bill attacks Delyan Peevski's rivals because it requires disclosure of all sources of financing of media organizations other than the proceeds from advertising and bank loans. The opponents of the bill state that "it is aimed against the opposition-minded news media, which use financing from non-government organizations and foreign grants". The day after bill's approval, Peevski, Hamid, Tzonev and Krusteva moved additional amendments requiring disclosure of bank loans and advertising incomes as well in order to meet the expectations of society. Yet the bill is still under attacks by its opponents.

Peevski was said to have the lowest attendance in the 44th National Assembly. He has appeared in only one plenary session, according to data from December 2017.[28] Yet he is among the most active PMs in the 49th National Assembly with regular attendance of the parliamentary sessions and 6 bills filed in the first 5 months. [29]

Activity in the 49th National Assembly

The legislative efforts of the MP within the 49th National Assembly are focused mainly on the judicial reform, Bulgaria's support for Ukraine and enforcement of the EU sanctions against Russia.

Delyan Peevski was among the 166 MPs who filed amendments to the Constitution of Bulgaria on July 28, 2023. [30] The draft law was submitted by members of the parliamentary groups of "We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria", GERB-UDF and the opposition Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF).[31]

Peevski along with the Movement of Rights and Freedoms (MRF) Chairman Mustafa Karadayi and four other MPs from the opposition MRF filed in July 2023 a bill to amend and supplement the Investment Promotion Act. The draft legislation sets up a mechanism for the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2019/452 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 March 2019 establishing a framework for the screening of foreign direct investments into the Union. The bill is particularly important, considering that the malicious (mainly Russian) corrosive capital tends to increase on a global scale especially in the context of the unprovoked Russian military invasion in Ukraine, the reasons point out. [32]

Furthermore Peevski was among the MPs who signed and filed a bill, allowing the state to terminate the concession of the Port of Rosenetz, held by the Russian owned company Lukoil Neftohim. [33] He also filed along with other MPs from MRF, GERB and PP-DB a second bill, which aims to end the derogation from the EU sanctions, allowing Bulgaria to continue importing Russian crude oil.

On July 6, 2023, in extension to MRF's support for Ukraine, the party's chairman Mustafa Karadayi, Delyan Peevski, deputy chair of the 49th National Assembly Filiz Hyusmenova and deputy chairman of the Movement Yordan Tsonev met with Ukrainian president Volodimir Zelensky, who visited Bulgaria. [34]

On October 16, 2023, he became Co-Chair of the Parliamentary group of DPS.[35]

Media and business empire

As of 2013, Peevski's media empire controlled six of the 12 largest circulating newspapers. It also had a monopoly on newspaper distribution and digital TV channels.[36] By 2016, according to Radio Bulgaria, the number of newspapers he owned increased to more than 20.[37] According to Reporters Without Borders, his media group consisting of 6 newspapers, "New Bulgarian Media Group" controls nearly 80% of print media distribution.[38] Peevskiis said to control or influence many other local media and websites, that he does not officially own.[39]

In 2016, Peevski also owned several construction companies and was the owner of Bulgartabac, the biggest manufacturer and seller of tobacco and related products.[37] “The Turkish Financial Crime Investigation Board (MASAK) and the Turkish Ministry of Customs and Trade on their part accused Bulgartabac of being one of the biggest cigarette-smuggling entities in Turkey and of being closely allied to the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party, the PKK, which is on the European list of terrorist organizations,” according to Radio Bulgaria.[37]

In early 2016, Peevski published a letter to the media where he said he would no longer start any new business projects in Bulgaria. He said his decision was due to an "ongoing 'smear' campaign" and political pressure.[37]

In an analysis, Radio Bulgaria said it was difficult to pinpoint why Peevski was downsizing his business empire. However, they wrote:[37]

"Still, some analysts say there is a connection between the shocks tearing across the Peevski conglomerate and the bankruptcy, two years ago, of the Corporate Commercial Bank with majority owner, Peevski's own former business partner and friend Tsvetan Vasilev. There is ample evidence that it was precisely the crediting from that bank that helped Delyan Peevski build his media empire, stone by stone, an empire that has been putting out tentacles into many other economic sectors and spheres. But the cheap (free?) financing is now gone and the media market is not particularly lucrative."

On January 27, 2021, Delyan Peevski sold the media he owned to the leading provider of telecommunications services and media in Southeastern Europe United Group.[40]

Controversy

Peevski has been accused of using his newspapers for influence peddling and to launch attack campaigns against journalists and other opponents. Peevski was accused of corruption in a Reporters Without Borders 2018 report.[41][42][43]

Sanctions

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on Peevski since 2 June 2021, pursuant to Executive Order 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption. Sanctions imposed through EO 13818 include a freezing of assets under the US and a ban on transactions with any US person.[44]

The U.S. Department of the Treasury wrote:[44]

"Delyan Slavchev Peevski (Peevski) is an oligarch who previously served as a Bulgarian MP and media mogul and has regularly engaged in corruption, using influence peddling and bribes to protect himself from public scrutiny and exert control over key institutions and sectors in Bulgarian society. "

In August 2021 it was reported that Delyan Peevski has filed a request before the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to remove the sanctions. He is represented by the US law firm Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP.[45][46]

In February 2023, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom issued sanctions to several high profile Bulgarian figures, amongst which Peevski.[47]

References
  1. "Цветелина Янева роди момче - trafficnews.bg". 2017-09-04. Retrieved 2018-01-13.
  2. Václav Štětka, The Rise of Oligarchs as Media Owners in Media and Politics in New Democracies: Europe in a Comparative Perspective with Jan Zielonka as editor, Oxford University Press, 2015, ISBN 0198747535, pp. 85-99.
  3. Delia Hallberg, Marinus Ossewaarde, Protest and Recognition in the Bulgarian Summer 2013 Movement in Protest, Social Movements, and Global Democracy since 2011, with Thomas Davies, Holly Eva Ryan, Alejandro Milcíades Peña as ed., Emerald Group Publishing, 2016, ISBN 1786350270, pp. 85-107.
  4. Heather A. Conley, James Mina, Ruslan Stefanov, Martin Vladimirov, The Kremlin Playbook: Understanding Russian Influence in Central and Eastern Europe, CSIS Reports, Rowman & Littlefield, 2016, ISBN 1442279591, Chapter #4, The Unvirtuous Cycle of Corruption, pp. 17-22.
  5. Bulgaria, Breaking up with Peevski, Bulgaria’s government must cut ties with the oligarchy, Eastern approaches, The Economist, Sep 20th. 2013, by V.V.B. Sofia.
  6. https://www.parliament.bg/en/MP/4162
  7. "Public Designation of Five Bulgarian Public Officials Due to Involvement in Significant Corruption".
  8. "U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctions three Bulgarians".
  9. "Нъненкамп: Инициирахме процедура от името на г-н Пеевски срещу санкциите "Магнитски" и ако я уважат, ще паднат".
  10. https://www.dps.bg/en/news/6174-peevski-files-a-lawsuit-in-a-us-court,-demands-removal-from-the-%E2%80%9Cmagnitsky%E2%80%9D-list.html
  11. Lilov 2013, p. 221.
  12. Tsolova, Tsvetelia (2017-06-14). "Bulgarians protests over media magnate as security chief". Reuters. Retrieved 2017-01-31.
  13. It took just 15 minutes for Parliament to decide that Peevski should be head of the State Agency "National Security"
  14. Peevski is no longer boss of the State Agency "National Security"
  15. Constitutional Court decides that Peevski is MP
  16. Резултати от избори за Европейски парламент 25.05.2014 г. за страната
  17. Правен казус в ЦИК около отказите на Пеевски и Станишев от ЕП
  18. ЦИК обяви 17-те избрани евродепутати, Пеевски е заличен от листата на ДПС
  19. Съдът пусна на свобода тримата мъже, "готвили покушение" срещу Пеевски, магистратите взеха решението си в болницата, където от снощи лежи единият от обвинените
  20. Пеевски: ако бях началник на съдебната власт, убийците ми нямаше да са на свобода. Депутатът от ДПС бе разпитан по сигнала на "Протестна мрежа" и за готвеното му покушение
  21. Stier, Frank (31 January 2016). "Bulgarien: DPS-Abgeordneter Deljan Peevski sorgt für Kontroverse". Der Spiegel.
  22. "Parliament Conclusively Amends Bank Bankruptcy Act". BTA. 2018-02-09. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
  23. "Bulgarian president vetoes changes to Bank Insolvency Act". seenews.com. Retrieved 2018-03-16.
  24. "MPs override presidential veto on amendments to bankruptcy law". FOCUS Information Agency (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2018-03-16.
  25. "Three Oppossition Movement for Rights and Freedoms MPs Table Urgent Amendments to Bank Bankruptcy Act to Allow Publicizing of Report on Fail". BTA. 2018-02-19. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
  26. "THE REPORT BY ALIXPARTNERS ON CORPBANK PUBLISHED IN BULGARIAN". BNT. 2016-05-04. Retrieved 2018-03-23.
  27. "Parliament Supports in Principle MRF Bill on Disclosure of Real Owners and Financing of Media Organizations". BULGARIAN NEWS AGENCY. 2018-07-04. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  28. Fakti. "Най-нередовните народни представители". Fakti.bg - Да извадим фактите наяве. Retrieved 2018-03-16.
  29. https://www.parliament.bg/bg/bills
  30. https://www.dps.bg/en/news/7448-delyan-peevski-unveils-why-mrf-supports-the-project-of-pp-db-to-amend-the-constitution.html
  31. https://bnr.bg/en/post/101857844
  32. https://www.bta.bg/en/news/economy/485873-bill-on-security-related-screening-of-foreign-direct-investments-passes-on-first#MPs%20investments
  33. https://bnr.bg/en/post/101854765
  34. https://www.dps.bg/en/news/7382-mustafa-karadayi,-delyan-peevski,-filiz-hyusmenova-and-yordan-tsonev-meet-president-volodimir-zelensky.html
  35. https://www.bta.bg/en/news/546886-peevski-joins-karadayi-as-co-chair-of-movement-for-rights-and-freedoms
  36. "Breaking up with Peevski". The Economist. 2013-09-20. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 2017-01-31.
  37. Daynova, Milena (2016-03-24). "Smoke billowing from Delyan Peevski's business empire". Radio Bulgaria. Retrieved 2017-01-31.
  38. "Bulgaria". RSF. Retrieved 2018-01-13.
  39. Campbell, Zach (2018-04-02). "Is a European government censoring independent media?". Columbia Journalism Review. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  40. "United Group agrees to acquire Bulgaria's Vestnik Telegraf EOOD". 27 January 2021.
  41. "България - Петата власт: Рекет - Капитал". 2010-04-16. Retrieved 2018-01-13.
  42. "Анализи - Медийната група на депутата от ДПС Делян Пеевски (кратка история) - Dnevnik.bg". 2018-01-10. Retrieved 2018-01-13.
  43. "Медиа и реклама - Кой страхува журналистите - Капитал". 2018-01-16. Retrieved 2018-01-17.
  44. "Treasury Sanctions Influential Bulgarian Individuals and Their Expansive Networks for Engaging in Corruption". U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY. 2021-06-02. Retrieved 2021-06-02.
  45. https://www.24varna.bg/Media/2021/09/20/210ce1a4-6b56-4621-8438-38cd60396956.pdf
  46. "Complaint" (PDF), Peevski v. Yellen (Court Filing), D.D.C., vol. No. 1:22-cv-02334, no. Docket 1, 2022-08-06, retrieved 2022-09-03 – via Recap (PACER current docket viewPaid subscription required)
  47. "UK sanctions high profile Bulgarian figures involved in corruption". 2023-02-10.

Bibliography

Lilov, Grigor (2013). Най-богатите българи (1st ed.). Sofia: "Кайлас" ЕООД. ISBN 978-954-92098-9-1.

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