Crime in Bulgaria

[3] Contract killings aimed towards bosses of organized crime groups was a problem but mostly decreased following the arrest of five “Killers” gang members starting in 2010.

However from 2020 onwards, mafia related incidents have risen back to power and contract killings have been both successfully and unsuccessfully fulfilled.

In 2011, a survey showed that one out of every four Bulgarians who dealt with doctors, police officers, customs officials or judges offered money, a gift or a favour to see their problems solved.

Kickbacks and bribes are a norm in the public procurement sector, a practice which decreases opportunities for foreign investors.

Domestic companies sometimes face demands for payments or bribes when they register their business or try to get access to public utilities.

The Commission noted specific problematic areas in the accountability and efficiency of the judicial and law enforcement systems.

[5] The European Commission adopted a series of specific benchmarks for Bulgaria to reach:[5] Corporate raiding is the practice of illegally taking over a company via manipulation of government power.