A case involving potential violations of EU sanctions and suspected money laundering has triggered a political and institutional response in Bulgaria, after reports that former Lukoil Bulgaria CEO Valentin Zlatev acquired high-value Russian state-owned properties in Sofia.
The “Democratic Bulgaria” coalition has formally alerted the Prosecutor’s Office and the State Agency for National Security (SANS), citing journalistic investigations and documents that, in their view, raise serious questions about the origin of funds, financial flows, and the effectiveness of sanctions enforcement.
At the center of the controversy is the purchase of properties owned by the Russian state enterprise Goszagransobstvennost, including a major building at 20 Shipka Street in Sofia. According to data cited by municipal councillor Simeon Stavrev, the property covers around 3,371 square meters, with a built-up area of 554 square meters and a reported price of approximately 8.59 million euros.
Another asset linked to Zlatev’s acquisitions is a five-story residential building in the Izgrev district on Rayko Aleksiev Street, with a surface area of 523 square meters, purchased for around 5.6 million euros.
Investigative reports referenced by Democratic Bulgaria claim that additional Russian-owned properties in Sofia, including sites in Pancharevo, Izgrev, and on Georgi S. Rakovski Street, were placed for sale through a discreet auction process scheduled for late October 2025. These reports also allege that participation required a substantial deposit of 850,000 euros, transferred in rubles through a bank in Yaroslavl reportedly under EU and US sanctions, which critics say could represent a breach of restrictive measures.
