Emilia Maslarova charged

The former minister responsible for Bulgaria's social care homes, Emilia Maslarova, has been indicted by Sofia prosecutors on charges of embezzling nearly £5 million during her term in office. Mrs Maslarova was the minister in charge of social policy, including the state institutions for abandoned children and juveniles, at the time of the Mogilino scandel.

It is alleged that contracts for renovation works were awarded to a company with close links to Mrs Maslarova's partner. The project, at the Centre for Social Services in Stara Zagora, cost a total of £8.5 million. Some contracts, like the one for door signs, were signed only days before Maslarova left office.

In November 2009, Prosecutor-General Boris Velchev asked MPs to strip Maslarova of her immunity from prosecution, which she had under Bulgarian law as an MP. Maslarova voluntarily renounced her immunity before the request was tabled for debate.
If proven guilty, she could face a prison sentence of 10 years and a ban on public office.